NIL rules by state
Mississippi NIL rules for college and high school athletes
Mississippi college athletes can earn NIL money under the Mississippi Intercollegiate Athletics Compensation and Rights Act (2021), which a 2025 amendment (SB 2517) extended so schools can share revenue with athletes. Mississippi high school athletes cannot receive NIL money under MHSAA rules until they graduate or use up their eligibility, and a 2026 bill to change that died in committee.
The MHSAA rule is reported from the executive director's public comments, and we could not confirm SB 2517's enacted text.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | Yes: Mississippi Intercollegiate Athletics Compensation and Rights Act | SB 2313 (2021), amended 2022 and 2025 (SB 2517) |
| High school | Not allowed | Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) |
Key facts
- College law: Mississippi Intercollegiate Athletics Compensation and Rights Act (SB 2313, effective July 1, 2021; amended 2022).
- SB 2517 (2025) lets Mississippi colleges share athletics revenue with athletes or pay them for their publicity rights.
- High school: under MHSAA practice, a student or parent may not receive NIL money or benefits until the student graduates or uses all eligibility.
- Any NIL money must be held in escrow until then, and students may not use school colors, uniforms or position designations.
- HB 1400 (2026), which would have allowed high school NIL, died in a House committee in February 2026.
- A 2024 state law covers some high school athletes who have signed with or are recruited by a college.
On this page
Mississippi NIL law for college athletes
The Mississippi Intercollegiate Athletics Compensation and Rights Act (SB 2313) took effect July 1, 2021, the same day as Florida's law. It lets athletes earn endorsement compensation for their NIL and hire representation, including attorneys and agents, without affecting scholarship eligibility, and bars schools, boosters and others from paying prospects to sign NIL deals as a recruiting inducement. It was amended in 2022.
SB 2517 (2025) amended the act and the state's athlete agent law, giving Mississippi colleges the right to share a portion of athletics-related revenue with athletes or compensate them for their publicity rights. One tracker lists it as signed February 14, 2025; we could not confirm the enacted text.
Division I athletes also report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go within five business days.
Mississippi high school NIL (MHSAA)
Mississippi remains one of the few states where high school NIL is not allowed in practice. As MHSAA Executive Director Rickey Neaves described the rules in January 2026:
- A student may sign an NIL deal, but neither the student nor the parents may receive money or benefits until the student has graduated or used all eligibility; receiving them ends eligibility immediately.
- Any money must be held in escrow until then.
- The student may not use school colors, uniforms or position designations.
HB 1400, which would have let high school athletes be paid for endorsements, social media posts and appearances, died in a House committee in February 2026. A 2024 state law separately covers athletes who have signed with, enrolled at or are being recruited by a college.
Frequently asked questions
Can Mississippi high school athletes get NIL deals?
Not in practice. Under MHSAA rules, a student may not receive NIL money or benefits until graduating or using all eligibility, and money must be held in escrow until then.
Can Mississippi colleges pay athletes?
SB 2517 (2025) gives Mississippi colleges the right to share athletics revenue with athletes or pay them for publicity rights.
Next steps
Sources
- Bill allowing Mississippi high school athletes to sign NIL deals dies in House committee — SuperTalk Mississippi
- Mississippi high school athletes could earn NIL money under House bill — Mississippi Free Press
- SB 2517 (2025), conference report — Mississippi Legislature
- Nationwide Name, Image, and Likeness Tracker (August 2024) — Foley & Lardner
- 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.