Wyoming may allow high school athletes to earn money through NIL deals

High school athletes in Wyoming might soon be allowed to earn money from their athletic performances. The Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA) is creating a policy for athletes to pursue Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, which would be strictly regulated. WHSAA Commissioner Trevor Wilson feels it’s important to offer these opportunities to students. 

 NIL has changed college athletics, allowing athletes to earn money through endorsements and other deals, but currently, high school athletes in Wyoming cannot engage in NIL activities. Many other states allow high school NIL to some extent, while only a few have banned it. Wilson states that while he hasn't faced public pressure on this issue, establishing a policy is necessary for students and parents. 

The Campbell County School District opposes the policy. Larry Yeradi, a wrestling coach and WHSAA board member, believes there is no need for NIL in high schools. He is also against NIL at the college level, concerned about its impact on college sports and player transfers. Both he and Wilson think that NIL is not a significant issue at the high school level, with only a small percentage of athletes participating in it and most not earning substantial money. 
 The proposed policy in Wyoming would differ from the NCAA rules, aiming to maintain the integrity of high school sports. It would allow athletes to create job opportunities based on their athletic skills while preventing them from using school uniforms, facilities, or game footage in their NIL activities. Violating the rules could lead to ineligibility. 

Currently, athletes in Wyoming can hold jobs, so this policy would simply create more options linked to their sports abilities. The rules resemble those recently implemented in Montana and have been in the works for about a year. Wilson anticipates that only top athletes may initially utilize these opportunities. 

The WHSAA board will review the new rules at an upcoming meeting. If approved, the changes will take effect immediately. Wilson believes most local athletic directors support the proposal.