Texas NIL & the Road Ahead
Texas allows college student-athletes to monetize their personal brand — but high school athletes are still shut out. Here's where the law stands, what we're working to change, and how parents can prepare their families now.
Texas
NIL
Texas has implemented specific regulations governing Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities, allowing college student-athletes to monetize their personal brand while maintaining compliance with state and institutional rules.
Restrictions include:
- NIL agreements cannot conflict with team or institutional contracts
- Compensation cannot be performance-based or offered as a recruiting incentive
- Activities must comply with state-law restrictions on endorsements (e.g., alcohol, gambling, firearms)
- Athletes must disclose NIL agreements to their schools within required timeframes
High school athletes:
Under Senate Bill 1385 and the UIL Constitution, high school athletes in Texas are prohibited from engaging in NIL agreements. It is illegal for any entity to enter into an NIL arrangement with a prospective student-athlete before enrollment in a higher-education institution, or to use NIL compensation as a recruiting incentive.
The case for high school NIL.
Empowering Young Athletes
High school athletes are increasingly gaining recognition through social media and competition, making them viable candidates for NIL opportunities during pivotal brand-building years.
Fairness & Equity
Restricting NIL for Texas high school athletes limits their ability to compete with peers in states where it's allowed. NIL access levels the playing field across all levels of sport.
Educational Opportunity
NIL gives young athletes early exposure to business, marketing, and financial management — preparing them for success far beyond athletics.
Our Advocacy Goals
Hamilton Rucker is leading a movement to advocate for responsible NIL opportunities for high school athletes in Texas:
Engaging Stakeholders
Partnering with parents, educators, athletic organizations, and legal experts to build a coalition supporting high school NIL reform.
Policy Advocacy
Proposing amendments to Texas NIL laws that responsibly extend opportunities to high school athletes — with safeguards against exploitation and conflicts with UIL and educational policies.
Education & Outreach
Hosting workshops and seminars for athletes and families on NIL opportunities, responsibilities, and compliance — plus resources on branding, contracts, and financial literacy.
For
Parents
Parents play a crucial role in a student-athlete's NIL journey. The families who prepare early are the ones best positioned when opportunity arrives.
- Support the brand-building process. Help your child identify what makes them unique and keep their public content aligned with their goals.
- Protect the balance. Academics and athletic performance come first — NIL should never come at their expense.
- Vet every professional. Work only with attorneys, agents, and advisors who have real NIL experience and act in your child's best interest.
- Read everything before signing. NIL contracts can carry long-term consequences. Have every agreement reviewed by a legal professional.
- Think long term. The goal is a sustainable personal brand and transferable business skills — not just short-term deals.
Join the movement. Prepare your family.
Whether you want to support high school NIL reform or get your student-athlete ready for college opportunities, we'd love to hear from you.