NIL rules by state
Alabama NIL rules for college and high school athletes
Alabama college athletes can earn NIL money, but Alabama has no state NIL law: it passed one in 2021 and repealed it in February 2022, so college athletes follow NCAA and College Sports Commission rules and their school's policies. Alabama high school athletes cannot earn NIL money under AHSAA rules, and a 2026 bill to change that did not, as far as we can find, become law.
We confirmed the 2022 repeal and the AHSAA's current position from published legal analyses and news coverage, not from the Alabama Code or the AHSAA handbook directly, and we could not confirm the final status of HB 340.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | No (repealed in 2022) | HB 404 (2021) repealed by HB 76 (2022) |
| High school | Not allowed | Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) |
Key facts
- Alabama's 2021 college NIL law (HB 404, signed April 20, 2021, effective July 1, 2021) was repealed in full by HB 76, signed February 3, 2022.
- With no state NIL statute, Alabama college athletes follow NCAA and College Sports Commission rules and their school's policies.
- Alabama's athlete agent law still applies: agents must register with the state.
- Alabama's SEC schools take part in House settlement revenue sharing.
- High school: the AHSAA's amateur rule bars athletes from receiving compensation for their athletic ability; NIL is not allowed.
- HB 340 (2026 session, Rep. Jeremy Gray) would have allowed high school NIL; we found no record that it passed.
On this page
Alabama college NIL: no state law
Gov. Kay Ivey signed Alabama's NIL law, HB 404, on April 20, 2021, and it took effect July 1, 2021. It required athletes to disclose NIL contracts to their school and barred schools from arranging deals. Less than a year later, on February 3, 2022, she signed HB 76, which repealed the law entirely. Legal commentators at the time said the state law had become stricter than the NCAA's interim policy, leaving Alabama schools at a disadvantage.
Since then, Alabama college athletes have earned NIL money under NCAA rules and their school's policies. For Division I athletes, that now means the College Sports Commission's rules: report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go within five business days, and expect associated-entity deals to be reviewed for a valid business purpose and a reasonable range of compensation.
Alabama's athlete agent law was not repealed, so anyone acting as an athlete's agent should register with the state.
Alabama high school NIL (AHSAA)
The Alabama High School Athletic Association does not allow high school NIL. Its amateur rule bars athletes in AHSAA-sanctioned sports from receiving compensation based on their athletic ability, and awards are limited (non-trophy awards are capped at a set dollar amount). The association has said it is studying the question.
Bills to allow high school NIL have been filed repeatedly. HB 25 in 2025 died in committee, and HB 340, filed for the 2026 session by Rep. Jeremy Gray, would have allowed high school athletes to be paid for their name, image and likeness. We found no record that HB 340 passed.
What Alabama athletes and families should do
- High school athletes: do not accept NIL money while playing AHSAA sports. Talk to your athletic director before agreeing to any appearance, post or product deal.
- College athletes: follow your school's NIL policy and NIL Go reporting; there is no state disclosure statute, but your school will have its own rules.
- Families of recruits: deals signed during high school can come up again in college, and Division I prospects must report deals of $600 or more made after the later of July 1, 2025 or the start of junior year.
Frequently asked questions
Does Alabama have an NIL law?
No. Alabama passed a college NIL law in 2021 (HB 404) and repealed it in February 2022 (HB 76). College athletes follow NCAA and College Sports Commission rules.
Can Alabama high school athletes get NIL deals?
No. AHSAA rules bar athletes from receiving compensation for their athletic ability. A 2026 bill, HB 340, would have changed that, but we found no record that it passed.
Can Alabama and Auburn athletes earn NIL money?
Yes. Athletes at Alabama colleges earn NIL money under NCAA and College Sports Commission rules, and the state's SEC schools take part in House settlement revenue sharing.
Next steps
Sources
- Alabama Has Repealed Its NIL Law: Can Alabama's Student-Athletes Still Get Paid? — Burr & Forman
- Alabama repeals state NIL law less than a year after passage — Sports Litigation Alert
- Alabama bill would allow high school athletes to make money off of their image — The 74
- Alabama High School Athletic Association — AHSAA
- Student-Athlete NIL Deals — College Sports Commission
This is general information, not legal advice. NIL rules differ by state, school, association and sport, and they change often. Check the official sources linked on this page and talk with your school's compliance office, your state association or a licensed attorney before you sign anything.