GAINESVILLE, Fla. – 

Dear FHSAA Member School Principals and Athletic Directors:

On June 4, 2024, the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Board of Directors unanimously approved the revision of FHSAA Bylaw 9.9, Amateurism, to include Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), please see attached Bylaw. 
  
The discussion on revising this policy to include NIL was initiated in the fall of 2023. There was subsequent discussion at the April meeting, followed by a Board of Directors workshop on NIL. Throughout this process, the public and FHSAA member schools were afforded the opportunity to provide feedback and if so inclined, to speak before the Board of Directors of the FHSAA. 

It is of the utmost importance that you note that FHSAA Bylaw 9.9 Amateurism and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is NOT to be implemented, until it is ratified by the State Board of Education. Specific directions for its implementation will be provided to member schools by the FHSAA upon ratification. Until then, FHSAA Bylaw 9.9 Amateurism, remains in effect.

The FHSAA has been apprised that there may be a company that is seeking to collect money to provide NIL compensation to student-athletes, which is strictly prohibited by FHSAA Bylaw 9.9 Amateurism, which remains in effect. This is a violation of FHSAA Bylaw 9.9 Amateurism and subject to sanctions including loss of amateur status. You may check the website of this company by going to the following: www.nilclub.com.
 
Please meet with your principal, coaches, parents, student-athletes and any other representatives of the school’s athletic interest and clearly emphasize that FHSAA Bylaw 9.9 Amateurism and Name, Image, and Likeness has not been ratified by the State Board of Education, and as such, FHSAA Bylaw 9.9 Amateurism, remains in effect, and that no NIL activities are to be conducted.

The FHSAA will correspond with member schools through multiple platforms to educate them on FHSAA Bylaw 9.9, Amateurism, and Name, Image, and Likeness, and answer any questions they may have upon its ratification.

If you have any questions, please contact this office.


About the FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association supervises and regulates interscholastic athletic programs for high school students at member public, private and charter schools. The organization also recognizes and honors academic achievement among student-athletes at over 800 middle, junior and senior high schools statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, it is the official governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida.