NIL rules by state
District of Columbia NIL rules for college and high school athletes
College athletes in the District of Columbia can earn NIL money under the District's college athlete NIL law, which a 2025 amendment act was written to change so DC colleges could pay athletes and help arrange deals. DC high school athletes can take part in commercial endorsements under DCSAA rules, as long as there are no school logos or apparel and the DCSAA is notified of every deal.
We could not confirm the 2025 college amendment on the DC Council's site, or read the current DCSAA handbook directly; this page relies on news and bill-tracker reports.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | Yes: D.C. college athlete NIL law (amended 2025) | Uniform College Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness Act; 2025 amendment |
| High school | Allowed with limits | DC State Athletic Association (DCSAA) |
Key facts
- College: the District's Uniform College Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness law bars pay for play and endorsements of products such as alcohol, gambling, performance-enhancing drugs and pornography.
- The Uniform College Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness Amendment Act of 2025 (B26-0175) was introduced to remove the restriction on DC colleges compensating athletes and to let schools help with NIL deals.
- We could not confirm on the DC Council's site that the 2025 amendment became law.
- High school: DCSAA's amateur rule does not restrict students from commercial or marketing endorsements, provided there are no school logos or apparel.
- DC high school athletes must notify the DCSAA of all commercial or marketing endorsements.
- The DCSAA published a family guide on avoiding bad NIL deals.
On this page
District of Columbia NIL law for college athletes
The District's college athlete NIL law lets athletes at DC colleges, such as Georgetown, George Washington, Howard and American, earn compensation for their name, image and likeness. As enacted, it prohibits pay for play and bars endorsements of products including alcohol, gambling, performance-enhancing drugs and pornography, and it did not allow DC universities to pay athletes directly.
The Uniform College Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness Amendment Act of 2025, introduced in March 2025, would let DC colleges, conferences and athletic groups help with NIL deals and remove the restriction on schools compensating athletes, to match the House settlement. Bill trackers list it, and related emergency and temporary measures, as having become law, but we could not confirm that on the DC Council's own site.
Division I athletes in DC also report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go.
DC high school NIL (DCSAA)
The DC State Athletic Association allows high school athletes to profit from their NIL. Its handbook says the amateur rules are not intended to restrict a student's right to take part in commercial or marketing endorsements, provided:
- No school logos or school apparel are used.
- The DCSAA is notified of every commercial or marketing endorsement.
The DCSAA has also published guidance for families on spotting and avoiding bad NIL deals. Private schools in DC that compete in other leagues may follow different rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can DC high school athletes get NIL deals?
Yes. DCSAA rules allow commercial and marketing endorsements without school logos or apparel, and every endorsement must be reported to the DCSAA.
Can DC colleges pay athletes?
The original DC law did not allow it. A 2025 amendment act was introduced to permit it; check the DC Council's legislation site for its final status.
Next steps
Sources
- DC Council weighs NIL bill for college athlete pay — DC News Now
- Proposed DC Council bill allows direct payment to collegiate athletes — The Hoya
- DC high school athletes and NIL deals — WUSA9
- DC State Athletic Association — DCSAA
- 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.