NIL rules by state
Maryland NIL rules for college and high school athletes
Maryland college athletes at University System of Maryland schools and Morgan State can earn NIL money under the Jordan McNair Safe and Fair Play Act (Chapter 138 of 2021), whose NIL provisions took effect July 1, 2023. Maryland public high school athletes can earn NIL money under MPSSAA guidance, as long as they keep NIL separate from school sports: no school references or marks, no banned categories, and no school staff involvement.
The MPSSAA rules are checked against its own guidance. The college law is summarized from the General Assembly's fiscal note and bar association coverage rather than the codified text.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | Yes: Jordan McNair Safe and Fair Play Act | Chapter 138 of 2021 (NIL provisions effective July 1, 2023) |
| High school | Allowed with limits | Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) |
Key facts
- College law: the Jordan McNair Safe and Fair Play Act (Chapter 138 of 2021); NIL provisions effective July 1, 2023, covering University System of Maryland schools and Morgan State University.
- Maryland college athletes must disclose NIL contracts to their school and may not sign deals that conflict with the school's athletic contracts.
- High school: MPSSAA guidance under COMAR 13A.06.03 allows endorsements, promotions, social media, advertising and NFTs.
- No reference to the school or the MPSSAA, no school jersey or marks, and no endorsing a third-party NIL partner during school team activities.
- Banned: adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine, cannabis, controlled substances, prescription drugs, casinos and gambling (including sports betting and lotteries), and weapons.
- A student found to have lost amateur status must wait 60 days before asking the MPSSAA Appeals Committee for reinstatement.
On this page
Maryland NIL law for college athletes
Maryland's college NIL law is part of the Jordan McNair Safe and Fair Play Act (Chapter 138 of 2021), named for the University of Maryland football player who died in 2018. Its health and safety provisions took effect first; its NIL provisions took effect July 1, 2023.
The NIL provisions apply to University System of Maryland institutions and Morgan State University, and to athletic associations including the NCAA:
- Athletes may earn compensation for their NIL and keep agent representation without losing eligibility.
- Associations and conferences may not block those opportunities.
- Prospective athletes may not receive NIL compensation from those universities.
- Athletes must disclose NIL contracts to their school, and contracts may not conflict with the school's athletic contracts.
- Athletes may not use the school's name or logos in their own NIL marketing, and schools may bar in-person advertising for a third-party sponsor during official, mandatory team activities.
A 2025 bill (HB 1528) to create a state task force on NIL programs did not pass. Division I athletes also report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go.
Maryland high school NIL (MPSSAA)
The MPSSAA publishes NIL guidance under the amateur rules in COMAR 13A.06.03.02F and .10. Students and families may use agents and advisors, and should follow the Maryland Uniform Athlete Agents Act. Permitted activities include commercial endorsements, promotional activities, social media, product or service advertising and NFTs.
Students must keep NIL and school sports separate:
- No reference to a member school or the MPSSAA in any NIL activity.
- No school team jersey, name, mascot, logo or other identifying marks.
- No endorsing or promoting a third-party NIL partner during school team activities and events, including wearing its apparel or logo.
Banned categories: adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, cannabis, controlled dangerous substances, prescription pharmaceuticals, casinos and gambling (including sports betting, lotteries and betting on video, online and mobile games), and weapons, firearms and ammunition.
School employees, contractors and volunteers, including coaches and administrators, may not represent a student, promise NIL opportunities to recruit a student, give a student any NIL-related benefit, or form or direct a collective.
If a school system finds a student has lost amateur status, the student may be ineligible and must wait 60 days before requesting reinstatement through the MPSSAA Appeals Committee.
Frequently asked questions
Can Maryland high school athletes get NIL deals?
Yes, under MPSSAA guidance, as long as NIL stays separate from school sports: no school references or marks, no banned categories, and no involvement by school staff.
Which Maryland colleges does the state NIL law cover?
University System of Maryland institutions and Morgan State University, plus the athletic associations they belong to.
When did Maryland's college NIL law take effect?
Its NIL provisions took effect July 1, 2023.
Next steps
Sources
- MPSSAA Guidance for Name, Image, and Likeness — Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association
- Fiscal and Policy Note, HB 1528 (2025), describing Chapter 138 of 2021 — Maryland General Assembly
- Maryland adds athlete safety provision as it joins growing list of states to enact NIL law — LexBlog
- 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.