The landscape of high school athletics is changing as more states, including Florida, are allowing student-athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). High school athletes like Vernell Brown III, a top recruit, are excited about the opportunity to benefit financially from their hard work. Brown III, who has already signed a deal with Adidas, recognizes the significance of being at the forefront of this new trend in Florida. The state has implemented rules to protect student-athletes from potential abuses, such as limiting the type of products they can endorse and prohibiting certain practices used to attract top players.
The reach and demand for high school athletics are evident at events like “OT7,” an All-Star league for football players where games are televised on the NFL Network. Vernell Brown Jr., Brown III’s father, who manages and mentors Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, highlights how NIL has reshaped sports at multiple levels. He believes that these endorsement deals can be life-changing for families who have invested in their child’s development and for athletes who have worked hard to reach this level. Brown Jr. emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and the need for parents to be involved in their child’s NIL agreements.
The endorsement deals that high school athletes sign are typically one year in length or until the athlete enrolls in college. Deals are structured to prevent conflicts of interest with college programs that may be sponsored by a competitor of the athlete’s chosen brand partner in high school. Brown III, a rising senior playing for South Florida Express, an elite club team, is focused on his performance on the field. However, he acknowledges that the ability to build a brand and benefit from NIL opportunities is a game-changer for young athletes like himself.
In Florida, the State Board of Education must vote to ratify the new NIL rules before deals like the one Brown III has with Adidas can go into effect. The regulations put in place are aimed at protecting student-athletes and ensuring fair competition among high school athletes. Brown III, who has narrowed down his list of college suitors to top programs like Ohio State, Florida State, and the University of Miami, is excited about the opportunities that NIL presents for him and his fellow athletes. As high school sports continue to evolve in the era of NIL, student-athletes are navigating a new landscape where their talent and hard work can now translate into financial rewards.
