NIL rules by state
Georgia NIL rules for college and high school athletes
Georgia college athletes can earn NIL money under the state's 2021 NIL law (HB 617, O.C.G.A. § 20-3-680 and following), and a September 17, 2024 executive order by Gov. Brian Kemp lets Georgia schools pay athletes directly for NIL. Georgia high school athletes can earn NIL money under GHSA rules, as long as there are no school marks, no collectives, no recruiting, and the principal or athletic director is told within seven calendar days.
HB 383 would put high school NIL into Georgia law and its status is not settled. We confirmed the GHSA rules against Appendix N; we could not read the codified college statute directly, so its summary relies on the enrolled bill and published reports.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | Yes: O.C.G.A. § 20-3-680 et seq. | O.C.G.A. § 20-3-680 et seq. (HB 617, 2021); Executive Order of Sept. 17, 2024 |
| High school | Allowed with limits | Georgia High School Association (GHSA) |
Key facts
- College law: HB 617 (2021), codified starting at O.C.G.A. § 20-3-680, effective July 1, 2021.
- Gov. Kemp's executive order of September 17, 2024 lets Georgia colleges compensate athletes directly for NIL and is meant to shield them from NCAA or conference penalties for doing so.
- High school: GHSA Appendix N (2025-26, updated July 19, 2025) allows NIL if amateur and recruiting rules are met.
- Georgia high school athletes must notify their principal or athletic director within 7 calendar days of signing any NIL contract.
- GHSA bans collectives and "NIL Clubs"; school-supervised booster clubs that support team needs are exempt.
- A 2025-26 bill, HB 383 (the Georgia High School NIL Protection Act), would write high school NIL into state law; we found no record it has passed.
On this page
Georgia NIL law for college athletes
Georgia's college NIL law, HB 617, signed in 2021 and effective July 1, 2021, added a new article to the Education Code starting at O.C.G.A. § 20-3-680. It lets athletes at Georgia colleges receive compensation for the use of their name, image or likeness and hire professional representation.
On September 17, 2024, Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order allowing Georgia schools to compensate their athletes directly for NIL, effective immediately, and directing that Georgia schools not be penalized by the NCAA or athletic conferences for doing so. It was written to last until a court settlement or federal law addressed athlete pay; the House settlement now governs direct payments at participating schools.
Division I athletes in Georgia also follow College Sports Commission rules, including reporting third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go.
Georgia high school NIL (GHSA)
The GHSA allows high school NIL under Appendix N of its constitution and bylaws. For 2025-26:
- NIL will not affect a student's amateur status as long as the student meets the amateur-status requirements (By-law 1.92-c) and does not violate the recruiting rules (By-law 1.70).
- Compensation may not depend on athletic performance, may not be an incentive to enroll at or stay at a school, and may not come from the school or anyone acting for it.
- No school marks: no school logos, school name, uniforms or mascot, and no GHSA logos or acronyms. No school apparel or equipment in NIL activity.
- No member school facilities may be used for NIL activity.
- No endorsements that conflict with the school district's policies, such as tobacco, alcohol and controlled substances.
- Within seven calendar days after entering any NIL contract, the student or parent must notify the principal or athletic director.
- Students may not be members of, or receive money or benefits from, a collective or NIL Club. Booster clubs supervised by the school that support facilities, equipment, team meals and other team needs are exempt.
Students who break these rules can lose eligibility, and schools that knowingly allow violations can be fined, forfeit games, be put on probation or lose postseason eligibility. The GHSA also urges families to get professional advice on how NIL income could affect college financial aid and taxes.
Pending legislation
HB 383, the Georgia High School NIL Protection Act, would add high school NIL provisions to state law. A committee substitute was filed for the 2026 session. We found no record that it passed; check the Georgia General Assembly before relying on it.
Frequently asked questions
Can Georgia high school athletes get NIL deals?
Yes, under GHSA Appendix N, as long as the deal is not tied to performance or recruiting, uses no school marks or facilities, involves no collective, and the principal or athletic director is told within seven calendar days.
Can Georgia colleges pay athletes directly?
Yes. Gov. Kemp's September 17, 2024 executive order allows Georgia schools to compensate athletes directly for NIL, and Georgia's SEC and ACC schools take part in House settlement revenue sharing.
Are NIL collectives allowed for Georgia high school athletes?
No. GHSA bars students from joining or being paid by a collective or NIL Club. School-supervised booster clubs that support the whole team are exempt.
Next steps
Sources
- Appendix N: Guidelines Regarding Name, Image and Likeness (2025-26) — Georgia High School Association
- HB 617 (2021), as introduced — Georgia General Assembly
- Georgia governor signs executive order on NIL (September 17, 2024) — CBS Sports
- HB 383, Georgia High School NIL Protection Act (as introduced) — Georgia General Assembly
- HB 383, House Committee on Education substitute (2026) — Georgia General Assembly
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.