NIL rules by state
Arizona NIL rules for college and high school athletes
Arizona college athletes can earn NIL money under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 15-1892, which also lets Arizona colleges pay athletes directly for their NIL (but not from student fees). Arizona high school athletes can earn NIL money under AIA Bylaw 15.11, as long as the deal has no connection to their school team, no collective is involved, and the athletic director is told within five school days.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | Yes: A.R.S. § 15-1892 | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-1892 |
| High school | Allowed with limits | Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) |
Key facts
- College law: A.R.S. § 15-1892. Arizona colleges may compensate athletes for their NIL, but may not use student fees to do it.
- Arizona college athletes must disclose a proposed NIL contract to the school before signing, and may not use school facilities, uniforms or marks without express authorization.
- High school: AIA Bylaw 15.11.1.2 allows NIL that is not connected to the athlete's AIA-sanctioned team or activity.
- No compensation tied to athletic performance, and no incentive to enroll or stay at a school.
- No collectives or NIL Clubs; school-supervised booster clubs that support the whole team are exempt.
- Notify the school's athletic director within five school days of signing any NIL agreement.
On this page
Arizona NIL law for college athletes
Arizona Revised Statutes Section 15-1892 requires any Arizona college that competes in an intercollegiate sport to allow athletes to earn compensation for their own name, image or likeness. It also allows the college itself to:
- Compensate an athlete for the use of their NIL, but not with money collected from student fees.
- Provide money, resources or other benefits to an institutional marketing associate or third party to help create NIL opportunities for athletes.
A college may not consider an athlete's NIL activity when deciding roster spots or playing time, and may not deny or revoke a scholarship or eligibility because of NIL earnings. Athletes, for their part:
- Must disclose a proposed NIL contract to the school before signing it.
- May not sign a contract that conflicts with a team contract, a school contract, an athletic department policy or the honor code.
- May not use school property, including facilities, equipment, apparel, uniforms and trademarks, without express authorization.
Agents advising Arizona athletes on NIL must follow Arizona's athlete agent law. Division I athletes also report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go.
Arizona high school NIL (AIA Bylaw 15.11)
The Arizona Interscholastic Association allows a student to benefit from their NIL as long as the activity is not connected to their AIA-sanctioned high school team or activity program. Under Bylaw 15.11.1.2:
- Pay may not depend on athletic performance or achievement, and may not be an incentive to enroll or stay at a school.
- Pay may not come from the school, a booster club, a collective or anyone acting for the school or athletic program.
- No student may be a member of, or receive anything from, a collective or NIL Club. Booster clubs supervised by the school that support facilities, equipment, team meals and other team needs are not collectives.
- No school or district names, logos, uniforms or mascots, no AIA logo, and no school apparel or equipment.
- No AIA member school facility may be used for NIL activity.
- No endorsements that conflict with the school district's policy, such as tobacco, alcohol and controlled substances.
- Within five school days of signing any NIL agreement, the student or a parent must notify the school's athletic director.
NIL may never be used to get around AIA's recruiting rule (Bylaw 15.12); a student who violates it loses eligibility immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Can Arizona high school athletes get NIL deals?
Yes, under AIA Bylaw 15.11, if the deal has no connection to the school team, is not tied to performance or enrollment, involves no collective, and the athletic director is told within five school days.
Can Arizona colleges pay athletes directly?
Yes. A.R.S. 15-1892 lets Arizona colleges compensate athletes for their NIL, as long as student fees are not used.
Are NIL collectives allowed for Arizona high school athletes?
No. AIA bars students from joining or being paid by a collective or NIL Club.
Next steps
Sources
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 15-1892 — Arizona State Legislature
- Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) (AIA Bylaw 15.11) — Arizona Interscholastic Association
- 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.