Reps. Bird, Odioso introduce legislation to protect middle and high school students, ban NIL deals

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) and Mike Odioso (R-Green Twp.) today announced legislation to protect middle and high school students by setting clear, statewide rules on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.

House Bill 661 would ban high school student-athletes from receiving compensation tied to their name, image, and likeness when it is connected to participation in interscholastic sports, nor receive compensation based on their position on a team roster. The bill applies uniformly to public schools, community schools, STEM schools, chartered and nonchartered nonpublic schools, and any organization that regulates interscholastic athletic conferences or events.

“The unwarranted, new OHSAA NIL by-laws changes dangerously undermine the most cherished aspects of grade school and high school education and cocurricular athletics,” said Rep. Odioso.

“High school sports are an extension of the classroom. They teach character, discipline, leadership, work ethic and fitness,” said Rep. Bird. “This bill is about protecting kids, keeping the focus on learning and development, and ensuring students across Ohio compete on a level playing field.”

Under the legislation, a student-athlete who earns prohibited compensation would be ineligible to participate in the specific sport tied to that compensation, while remaining eligible to compete in other sports. The bill also requires athletic governing organizations to adopt clear rules for investigating alleged violations and to establish an appeals process for student-athletes seeking reinstatement.

The bill will have its first hearing Wednesday in the House Education Committee.