NIL rules by state
Michigan NIL rules for college and high school athletes
Michigan college athletes can earn NIL money under a state law signed December 30, 2020 that took effect December 31, 2022. Michigan high school athletes have been able to earn money from "personal branding activities" since January 27, 2026, when the MHSAA Representative Council expanded its rule, as long as deals have no school connection and are disclosed to the school and the MHSAA within seven days.
The high school rule is checked against the MHSAA's own page. The college law summary relies on the House bill analysis and a law-firm summary rather than the codified text.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | Yes: MCL 390.1731 et seq. | Michigan HB 5217 (2020), effective Dec. 31, 2022 |
| High school | Allowed with limits | Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) |
Key facts
- College law: HB 5217, signed December 30, 2020, effective December 31, 2022 (cited as MCL 390.1731 and following).
- Michigan college athletes must disclose NIL deals to their school before committing, and may not sign apparel deals that require wearing a sponsor's gear during official team activities.
- High school: MHSAA Regulation I, Section 11, "Personal Branding Activity" (PBA), expanded January 27, 2026 and effective immediately.
- Disclose every PBA deal, of any value, to the school and the MHSAA within seven days using the MHSAA's PBA Disclosure Form.
- No school or MHSAA names, logos, mascots, uniforms, facilities, websites or social accounts, and no PBA during school hours or any MHSAA practice, game or event.
- No deals arranged by schools, coaches, collectives, boosters, donors, alumni or other associated entities or individuals.
On this page
Michigan NIL law for college athletes
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Michigan's college NIL law, HB 5217, on December 30, 2020, and it took effect December 31, 2022. It lets Michigan college athletes sign endorsement deals, take part in advertising and hire agents, consultants or attorneys, and bars schools, conferences and governing bodies from stopping athletes from competing or revoking scholarships because of NIL.
- Athletes must disclose a deal to their school before committing to it.
- An athlete may not sign an apparel deal that would require wearing the sponsor's apparel during official team activities.
Division I athletes in Michigan also report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go, and Michigan's Big Ten schools take part in House settlement revenue sharing.
Michigan high school NIL (MHSAA personal branding)
The MHSAA calls its NIL rule "Personal Branding Activity" (PBA), in Regulation I, Section 11. It had long allowed a few activities such as camps, clinics and private lessons; on January 27, 2026, the Representative Council expanded it to endorsements, social media promotions, appearances, autograph and photo sessions, modeling, merchandise, sports cards, apparel, group licensing and personal logos, effective immediately.
- Deals must be individual opportunities for individual students; collectives and group pay-for-play arrangements are excluded.
- No MHSAA, conference or school names, logos, mascots, trademarks, uniforms, facilities, property, websites or social media accounts, and nothing implying the school or MHSAA endorses the deal.
- No PBA during school attendance or while taking part in any MHSAA event, including practices, meetings, games and tournaments.
- Pay may not depend on athletic performance, awards, team membership or results, and may never be an inducement to enroll, stay or transfer.
- No deal may be provided, facilitated or arranged by a member school or an associated entity or individual: collectives, school-connected boosters and foundations, employees, board members, donors, coaches, alumni and similar. Schools, coaches and staff may not solicit, arrange, negotiate or promote deals.
- Banned categories include gambling, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, banned or illegal substances (including performance enhancers), sexually explicit content, firearms and weapons, and anything else the MHSAA finds inappropriate.
- Every PBA agreement or opportunity, of any value, must be disclosed to the school and the MHSAA within seven days using the PBA Disclosure Form (the MHSAA's FAQ says seven business days).
There is no cap on PBA earnings, as long as the deal reflects fair market value and follows MHSAA rules. A licensed agent, attorney or financial advisor who is not connected to the school may represent the student.
Frequently asked questions
Can Michigan high school athletes get NIL deals?
Yes. Since January 27, 2026, the MHSAA's personal branding rule allows endorsements, appearances, social media deals and more, with no school marks, nothing during school or MHSAA events, nothing arranged by the school or boosters, and disclosure within seven days.
Do Michigan high school athletes have to report NIL deals?
Yes. Every personal branding deal, of any value, must be disclosed to the school and the MHSAA within seven days using the MHSAA's PBA Disclosure Form.
When did Michigan's college NIL law take effect?
December 31, 2022. Gov. Whitmer signed it on December 30, 2020.
Next steps
Sources
- Name, Image, Likeness (Personal Branding Activity) — Michigan High School Athletic Association
- Michigan high schoolers can cash in on more name, image, likeness opportunities — Michigan Public
- House Legislative Analysis, HB 5217 (2019-2020) — Michigan Legislature
- Name, Image and Likeness law in Michigan — Foster Swift
- 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.