NIL rules by state
Pennsylvania NIL rules for college and high school athletes
Pennsylvania college athletes can earn NIL money under Act 26 of 2021 (Article XX-K of the Public School Code), signed June 30, 2021 and effective July 1, 2021, which says NIL pay must reflect market value and may not be an inducement to attend a school. Pennsylvania high school athletes have been allowed to earn NIL money since the PIAA adopted its policy in December 2022, with notice to the school within 72 hours and no school names, logos or uniforms.
Sources cite the PIAA NIL provision under different Article II section numbers; check the current PIAA handbook for the exact citation.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | Yes: Act 26 of 2021 | Act 26 of 2021 (SB 381), Public School Code Art. XX-K |
| High school | Allowed with limits | Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) |
Key facts
- College law: Act 26 of 2021 (SB 381), Article XX-K of the Public School Code; signed June 30, 2021, effective July 1, 2021.
- Pennsylvania's law covers all intercollegiate athletes at Pennsylvania colleges, not only NCAA members, and not club or intramural athletes.
- NIL compensation must be commensurate with the market value of the athlete's NIL and may not be given for attending, participating or performing at a particular school.
- High school: the PIAA adopted an NIL policy in December 2022, effective immediately.
- PIAA athletes must notify their principal or athletic director within 72 hours of signing an NIL deal.
- PIAA bans school and PIAA references, school uniforms and apparel, endorsements during team activities, and categories including adult entertainment, alcohol, gambling, tobacco and vaping, weapons and controlled substances.
On this page
Pennsylvania NIL law for college athletes
Gov. Tom Wolf signed Act 26 of 2021 (SB 381) on June 30, 2021, the same day the NCAA adopted its interim NIL policy, and its NIL provisions took effect July 1, 2021. They appear in Article XX-K of the Public School Code.
- The law covers intercollegiate athletes at Pennsylvania colleges and universities, regardless of residency, but not club, intramural or professional sports.
- An athlete may earn compensation for the use of their name, image or likeness.
- Compensation must be commensurate with the market value of the athlete's NIL.
- Compensation may not be provided, in whole or in part, for a current or prospective athlete to attend, participate or perform at a particular school.
- Payment for playing a sport or for athletic achievement is not allowed.
Division I athletes also report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go.
Pennsylvania high school NIL (PIAA)
The PIAA Board of Directors adopted its NIL policy in December 2022, as an amendment to the amateur-status rules in Article II of its bylaws, effective immediately. It allows students to be paid for their own name, image and likeness, including commercial endorsements, promotional activities, social media, product or service advertising and digital items.
- Deals must reflect the value the student provides for a specific service or activity, not an incentive to enroll or join a team.
- No reference to the PIAA or the member school, including the school or team name, nicknames, logos and other identifying marks.
- No school uniforms or school-identifying apparel.
- No endorsing a third party, or showing an NIL partner's logo, during team or school activities, unless it is part of the standard uniform.
- Banned categories include adult entertainment, alcohol, casinos and gambling, tobacco and e-cigarettes, weapons and ammunition, and prescription drugs and controlled substances.
- Schools and people connected to them, including booster clubs, coaches, collectives, administrators and alumni, may not solicit, arrange, negotiate or pay for a student's NIL deal (other than for their own child).
- The student or parent must notify the principal or athletic director within 72 hours of signing.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pennsylvania high school athletes get NIL deals?
Yes, since December 2022 under PIAA rules. Notify the principal or athletic director within 72 hours, keep school names, logos and uniforms out, and avoid the banned categories.
What is Pennsylvania's college NIL law?
Act 26 of 2021, in Article XX-K of the Public School Code. It lets college athletes earn NIL money at market value and bars NIL pay as an inducement to attend or perform at a school.
Can a booster or coach set up a PIAA athlete's NIL deal?
No. Schools and their boosters, coaches, collectives, administrators and alumni may not solicit, arrange, negotiate or pay for a student's NIL deal, other than for their own child.
Next steps
Sources
- Act 26 of 2021 (SB 381) — Pennsylvania General Assembly
- 9 Things to Know About Pennsylvania's Name, Image and Likeness Legislation — Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
- NIL Student-Athlete Information (PIAA policy as distributed to families) — Upper Moreland School District
- PIAA approves Name, Image, and Likeness policy for PA high school athletes — local21news
- Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association — PIAA
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.