Overview
- House Bill 661, introduced by Reps. Adam Bird and Mike Odioso, would bar OHSAA athletes in grades 7–12 from receiving name, image and likeness compensation.
- A first hearing is scheduled Wednesday in the House Education Committee, where the sponsors intend to present their rationale for the ban.
- The bill would render a student ineligible only in the sport linked to any prohibited payment and requires clear investigation rules and an appeals process.
- OHSAA allowed limited NIL in November after an emergency referendum passed 447–121 with 247 abstentions following a lawsuit by Jamier Brown’s family and a judge’s temporary restraining order.
- OHSAA says high school NIL differs from college and notes Ohio is among the majority of states permitting some version, while the bill’s backers argue NIL conflicts with the educational purpose of school sports.