NIL rules by state
Delaware NIL rules for college and high school athletes
Delaware college athletes can earn NIL money under NCAA and College Sports Commission rules; the state's 2022 law, SB 297, deals mainly with athlete agents rather than setting NIL rules. Delaware high school athletes have been allowed to sign NIL deals since October 11, 2024, under DIAA Regulation 1030, as long as the deal is not tied to their school or a specific athletic achievement and is reported to the school.
We could not read Regulation 1030 or SB 297 directly; this page relies on news coverage of the DIAA vote and a legal analysis of SB 297. Check the DIAA's current regulation for the reporting deadline.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | Limited: SB 297 (2022, mostly athlete agents) | SB 297 (2022); NCAA and CSC rules |
| High school | Allowed with limits | Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) |
Key facts
- College: Delaware's 2022 law, SB 297, mainly regulates athlete agents (filings and required contract warnings); NCAA and College Sports Commission rules govern NIL deals.
- High school: the DIAA Board approved Regulation 1030 in 2024; high school NIL started October 11, 2024.
- Deals may not be directly connected to the student's school or to a specific athletic achievement.
- School-based collectives are banned, and boosters may not funnel money to students through the school.
- Students must report deals to their school; one report describes a 72-hour (or before the next contest) deadline.
- Before 2024, accepting anything of value cost a Delaware athlete amateur status.
On this page
Delaware NIL law for college athletes
Delaware's 2022 law, Senate Bill 297, is often listed as the state's NIL law, but legal commentators note it is mainly aimed at athlete agents: what they must file with the Secretary of State and the warnings their contracts must carry. It does not set out a full NIL framework for college athletes.
Delaware college athletes therefore follow NCAA and College Sports Commission rules and their school's policies. Division I athletes report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go.
Delaware high school NIL (DIAA Regulation 1030)
After tabling the proposal several times, the DIAA Board of Directors gave final approval to Regulation 1030 in 2024, and high school NIL officially began in Delaware on October 11, 2024. Before then, a Delaware athlete who accepted anything of value immediately lost amateur status.
- Students may sign NIL deals that are not directly connected to their school or to a specific athletic achievement.
- Deals may not be used as an enrollment incentive or be provided by the school or its agents.
- School-based collectives are explicitly prohibited, and boosters may not route money to a student through the school.
- Students must report deals to their school; reporting at adoption described a deadline of 72 hours or before the student's next contest.
Ask your athletic director for the current text of Regulation 1030 and the school's reporting form.
Frequently asked questions
Can Delaware high school athletes get NIL deals?
Yes, since October 11, 2024, under DIAA Regulation 1030, as long as the deal is not tied to the school or a specific athletic achievement, no school-based collective is involved, and the deal is reported to the school.
Does Delaware have a college NIL law?
Delaware's 2022 law (SB 297) deals mainly with athlete agents. NIL deals for Delaware college athletes follow NCAA and College Sports Commission rules.
Next steps
Sources
- DIAA approves NIL deals for Delaware high school athletes — WDEL
- New NIL laws effective January 1, 2023 (Delaware SB 297) — Duane Morris
- Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association — Delaware Department of Education
- 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.