High school NIL: Not allowed

Mississippi high school NIL rules

No. Mississippi does not allow high school athletes to earn NIL money while they keep school eligibility.

Tell the school: Not applicable
Agents: Not applicable
If a rule is broken: Ineligible
Reaches middle school: Generally no

High school

Who sets the rules

Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA)

The rule

MHSAA Rule 2.39.2(10) in the 2026-27 Handbook states flatly: 'The state of Mississippi does not allow NIL contracts for high school students.' Signing an NIL contract is listed as an act that costs a student amateur standing.

Tell the school

Not applicable

None; NIL is prohibited.

Off limits

Total prohibition on NIL contracts. Amateur rule also bars competing for money, gate shares or prizes over $1,000 retail, accepting money, selling prizes, excess expense money, pro contracts, and competing under a false name. Students may still take pay for lifeguarding, Red Cross instruction and officiating/instructing in recreation programs, and accept meals/travel/lodging. Note: the 2022 state law (SB 2690) removed the statutory bar on pre-enrollment NIL deals, so the prohibition now rests on the MHSAA bylaw, not state statute (despite the bylaw's wording).

Agents

Not addressed

Moot given prohibition.

If a rule is broken

Loss of amateur standing, which makes the student ineligible to represent the school. If an ineligible student competes, records are vacated, team wins forfeited, awards returned, and the school may be fined up to $5,000 plus other sanctions.

Middle school, club and travel ball

MHSAA governs member schools (it also sanctions junior high play; the amateur rule speaks to 'a student' eligible to represent 'his/her high school'). Summer/club amateur play is allowed as long as the student is not paid. Non-school club play is otherwise not addressed.

Recent changes

None. 2026-27 Handbook (Final V7, posted Oct. 2026) retains the prohibition unchanged.

College state law

Law in force

Sources disagree on whether Mississippi colleges may now pay athletes directly. We are checking the amended statute.

The law

Miss. Code Ann. §§ 37-97-101 to 37-97-109, Mississippi Intercollegiate Athletics Compensation and Publicity Rights Act.

Disclosure

Drake Group database (Oct 2026): disclosure required to the school at least seven days prior to execution of the contract.

Schools paying athletes

CONFLICTING SOURCES. the Drake Group database entry still shows the 2021 text ("expressly prohibited for both current and prospective athletes").

For high school recruits

NCAA Division I, everywhere

Every deal worth $600 or more (added up per payer) entered since July 1, 2025 or the start of junior year, whichever is later, must be reported through NIL Go within 14 days of starting classes or before the first game.

Recruits enrolling on or after August 1, 2026 may hire agents under the April 15, 2026 Division I rule. The NJCAA still ends eligibility for a written agent agreement.

The full college-bound guide

Quick answers

Can high school athletes in Mississippi make NIL money?

No. Mississippi does not allow high school athletes to earn NIL money while they keep school eligibility. MHSAA Rule 2.39.2(10) in the 2026-27 Handbook states flatly: 'The state of Mississippi does not allow NIL contracts for high school students.' Signing an NIL contract is listed as an act that costs a student amateur standing.

Do Mississippi athletes have to tell the school about an NIL deal?

None; NIL is prohibited.

Does a travel ball or club deal count in Mississippi?

State association rules follow the athlete, not where the deal came from. A travel-sourced deal can still cost school eligibility. MHSAA governs member schools (it also sanctions junior high play; the amateur rule speaks to 'a student' eligible to represent 'his/her high school'). Summer/club amateur play is allowed as long as the student is not paid. Non-school club play is otherwise not addressed.

Can a Mississippi high school athlete use an agent for NIL?

Not addressed. Moot given prohibition.

Sources

Last verified November 4, 2026. High school rule text: 2026-27 MHSAA Handbook, Final V7 (posted 2026-10)

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