NIL rules by state
New Jersey NIL rules for college and high school athletes
New Jersey college athletes can earn NIL money under the New Jersey Fair Play Act, signed September 14, 2020, which became operative in its fifth academic year. New Jersey high school athletes have been allowed to earn NIL money since January 1, 2022, under the NJSIAA's NIL policy, as long as they make no reference to their school or the NJSIAA, avoid banned categories and stay away from NIL collectives and school-based NIL clubs.
We summarized the NJSIAA rules from its FAQ listing and news coverage and could not confirm the Fair Play Act's exact operative date or any later amendment.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | Yes: New Jersey Fair Play Act | S971, P.L.2020, c.83 |
| High school | Allowed with limits | New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) |
Key facts
- College law: New Jersey Fair Play Act (S971, P.L.2020, c.83), signed September 14, 2020, operative in the fifth academic year after enactment.
- As enacted, the act bars New Jersey colleges from paying athletes directly for NIL.
- High school: NJSIAA NIL policy, effective January 1, 2022 (approved 35-1).
- No reference to a member school or the NJSIAA, and no team jersey, school name, mascot or logo.
- Banned: adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine, cannabis, controlled substances, prescription drugs and gambling.
- NIL collectives are prohibited (2023 update), and so are NIL clubs based on a student's school or team affiliation.
On this page
New Jersey NIL law for college athletes
Gov. Phil Murphy signed the New Jersey Fair Play Act (S971) on September 14, 2020. It bars New Jersey colleges from rules that keep athletes from competing because they earn NIL compensation, protects scholarship eligibility, limits schools' ability to block representation and, as enacted, bars schools from paying athletes directly for NIL. It becomes operative in the fifth academic year after enactment.
Division I athletes also report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go within five business days.
New Jersey high school NIL (NJSIAA)
The NJSIAA approved its NIL policy 35-1, effective January 1, 2022. NIL activity must stay separate from school sports:
- No reference to a member school or the NJSIAA, and no team jersey or school name, mascot or logo when marketing a product.
- No adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine, cannabis, controlled substances, prescription pharmaceuticals or gambling.
- No one employed by a member school, including coaches and administrators, may be involved in a student's NIL.
- NIL collectives are prohibited (2023 update), and the NJSIAA's 2026 FAQ says students may not take part in an NIL club based on their affiliation with a member school or team.
Frequently asked questions
Can New Jersey high school athletes get NIL deals?
Yes, since January 1, 2022, under the NJSIAA policy: no school or NJSIAA references or marks, no banned categories, no school staff involvement, and no collectives or school-based NIL clubs.
Next steps
Sources
- NJSIAA NIL FAQs (updated 2026) — NJSIAA
- NJ S971 (2020-2021), chaptered — LegiScan
- High school student-athletes asserting NIL rights moves to forefront — Sports Litigation Alert
- 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.