High school NIL: Allowed

Montana high school NIL rules

Yes. High school athletes in Montana can take NIL deals, with conditions.

Tell the school: None statewide
Agents: Not addressed
If a rule is broken: Eligibility lost: that sport only
Reaches middle school: Generally no

High school

Who sets the rules

MHSA (Montana High School Association)

The rule

Adopted at the MHSA annual meeting Jan. 20, 2025 and now in By-Laws Article II, Section 16 (Amateur Rule), 16.1(d) and 16.2 of the 2026-27 handbook. A student may engage in NIL activities, but not in school or MHSA uniform/gear, not using school/MHSA facilities, patents, products, copyrights, equipment, practice or game film, not during the school day or team activities, and not wearing a sponsor's logo when school dress/uniform rules apply.

Tell the school

None statewide

None.

Off limits

No school/MHSA identity, uniforms, facilities, film; no promotion during school day/team activities; may not promote alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, vaping, controlled substances/cannabis/paraphernalia, anything unlawful for school-aged students, or gambling of any kind (including licensed sports betting/lottery). No NIL compensation from the member school, its agents (booster club, foundation, employees), a collective, or anyone affiliated with the school to induce attendance or participation. 'Collective' is defined in the interpretation.

Agents

Not addressed

If a rule is broken

Violation of 16.2 'may result in a determination by the member school and the MHSA of the student's ineligibility for activity participation.' Loss of amateur status is sport-specific; reinstatement possible after one year via the Executive Director (16.4).

Middle school, club and travel ball

MHSA rules cover students in MHSA member high schools and MHSA-sponsored activities; the rule speaks of use of NIL 'as an athlete' in MHSA-sponsored activities. Nothing specific to middle school; MHSA does not govern non-school club play beyond the general amateur rule.

Recent changes

Rule adopted Jan. 2025 (first NIL allowance in Montana); carried in the 2026-27 handbook unchanged. The 406mtsports report said the bylaw still needed 2025 legislative approval; the 2026-27 handbook contains it as operative text.

College state law

Law in force

The law

MCA 20-1-232 (En. Ch. 396, L. 2021; amd. Ch. 380, L. 2025 [SB 271]; amd. Ch. 407, L. 2025 [SB 482]). MCA 28-2-903(1)(f) was added by SB 482 to require NIL/student-athlete-rights agreements to be in writing.

Disclosure

An athlete with an NIL contract must disclose it to a postsecondary institution official (team members to the institution; non-members when seeking to join). Institution asserting a conflict must identify the specific rule/term.

Schools paying athletes

SB 271 (Ch. 380, 2025, effective on passage, signed May 2025) removed the prohibition on a postsecondary institution or athletic association compensating a prospective or current athlete for NIL. Institution may act as the athlete's agent (20-1-232(5)(c)).

For high school recruits

None. Statute applies only to students enrolled at a Montana 2- or 4-year institution. 'Prospective' appeared only in the compensation ban that SB 271 removed.

Recent changes

Two 2025 amendments (SB 271, Ch. 380; SB 482, Ch. 407, which also amended 28-2-903 to require written contracts; effective June 1, 2025 per bill text).

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 Montana make NIL money?

Yes. High school athletes in Montana can take NIL deals, with conditions. Adopted at the MHSA annual meeting Jan. 20, 2025 and now in By-Laws Article II, Section 16 (Amateur Rule), 16.1(d) and 16.2 of the 2026-27 handbook. A student may engage in NIL activities, but not in school or MHSA uniform/gear, not using school/MHSA facilities, patents, products, copyrights, equipment, practice or game film, not during the school day or team activities, and not wearing a sponsor's logo when school dress/uniform rules apply.

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

None statewide. None.

Does a travel ball or club deal count in Montana?

State association rules follow the athlete, not where the deal came from. A deal through a travel team is fine as long as nothing ties back to the school team. MHSA rules cover students in MHSA member high schools and MHSA-sponsored activities; the rule speaks of use of NIL 'as an athlete' in MHSA-sponsored activities. Nothing specific to middle school; MHSA does not govern non-school club play beyond the general amateur rule.

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

Not addressed.

Sources

Last verified November 4, 2026. High school rule text: MHSA 2026-2027 Handbook, By-Laws Art. II Sec. 16.

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