CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – High school student athletes will now be able to make money off of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) through marketing and promotional opportunities.
According to a press release, the TSSAA Legislative Council met in Murfreesboro on Thursday, Dec. 8, to discuss and vote on eight proposed changes to the TSSAA Bylaws.
Only one of those eight proposed changes was passed by the council after discussions with administrators from across the state of Tennessee.
The release stated that the council approved a proposed change to Article II, Section 18, which is based on the amateur rule. Effective immediately, high school students in the state of Tennessee will have the opportunity to receive “payment for instructional services (i.e. lessons)” without any consequences.
“Students would be permitted to receive payment for activities not related to performance provided that they are carried out in a manner that does not suggest the endorsement or sponsorship of their school,” said the TSSAA.
“The student’s activities for which they are compensated may not include an image or likeness of the student in a uniform or other clothing or gear depicting the name or logo of the TSSAA member school the student is attending or has attended.”
According to Tom Kreager, high school sports strategist for the USA Today Network, at least four high school athletes had NIL deals on the first day the TSSAA permitted them.
https://twitter.com/Kreager/status/1600999492819435522?cxt=HHwWhICq8cyj8rcsAAAA