For most people, high school athletes profiting based on their name, image, and likeness (NIL) sounds extraordinary, but this huge shift in high school sports is the beginning of a new era for young athletes. As of Oct. 14, North Carolina public school athletes are able to make money off of their NIL. 

     NIL has been a huge component in the lives of college athletes within the few years it has been around and continues to prosper. 

     After graduating from Rose in 2022, Emma Hastings continued her academic and athletic career at North Carolina State University (NCSU). Hastings became a part of the NCSU swim team and has excelled as an athlete upon her arrival.

      In the 2023-24 season, Hastings was a bronze medalist at the Atlantic Coast Conference, named All-American at the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships, and even qualified for the Olympic Trials where she completed the 400, 800 and 1500-meter Freestyle events. 

     Hastings now uses NIL herself and believes that it has benefited her in a variety of ways. 

     Universities across the country have started implementing NIL in numerous ways. One way that NCSU implements NIL is through Operation Give Pack (OGP), a nonprofit organization that uses NIL to benefit nonprofit and community organizations. Hastings works for OGP, allowing her to work with less fortunate kids through a non-profit organization called A Doorway To Hope.

     “I work with underprivileged kids that live in trailer homes whose most of their parents speak Spanish,” Hastings said. “We do an afterschool program where they come to this playground near the trailer park and we hand out dinner, feed them every night and play with them before they go to bed.” 

     Hastings continues to work with these children as much as she can and make a difference in their lives.

     “It is very rewarding,” Hastings said. “I am glad NIL brought me to these kids.”

     Though NIL has seemed to be a beneficial policy for collegiate athletes, the question still remains concerning those who are still in high school. 

     Opponents of this policy have concerns about age limits, arguing that while it might work for college students who are 22 years old, will a 14-year-old freshman in high school be able to handle it?

     The State Board of Education has provided a rigid set of requirements for an athlete to participate and NIL and a strict list of “do’s” and “don’ts” to ensure a great experience.

     According to High School Over Time, before any NIL agreement can be made official, the student-athlete must provide a copy of the agreement to the principal and athletic director at the school. The student is also required to take the NIL education course offered by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

     These profitable opportunities for high school athletes can be presented in a variety of ways, some including public appearances or commercials, autograph signings and athletic camps and clinics.

    Though these look different from what Hastings is used to, she believes this is a great step for high school athletes and thinks it is important to recognize the younger generation. 

     “I think it’s good that athletes are getting paid for what they do,” Hastings said. “When you're doing sports even in high school, it restricts you from having a job so I think it’s good even though it’s taking up so much of your time you’re getting paid for it when you are unable to work.”

     While what the future holds for NIL is still obscure, this new law will open many doors and present many opportunities for high school athletes in North Carolina. 

e component in the lives of college athletes within the few years it has been around and continues to prosper. 

     After graduating from Rose in 2022, Emma Hastings continued her academic and athletic career at North Carolina State University (NCSU). Hastings became a part of the NCSU swim team and has excelled as an athlete upon her arrival.

      In the 2023-24 season, Hastings was a bronze medalist at the Atlantic Coast Conference, named All-American at the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships, and even qualified for the Olympic Trials where she completed the 400, 800 and 1500-meter Freestyle events. 

     Hastings now uses NIL herself and believes that it has benefited her in a variety of ways. 

     Universities across the country have started implementing NIL in numerous ways. One way that NCSU implements NIL is through Operation Give Pack (OGP), a nonprofit organization that uses NIL to benefit nonprofit and community organizations. Hastings works for OGP, allowing her to work with less fortunate kids through a non-profit organization called A Doorway To Hope.

     “I work with underprivileged kids that live in trailer homes whose most of their parents speak Spanish,” Hastings said. “We do an afterschool program where they come to this playground near the trailer park and we hand out dinner, feed them every night and play with them before they go to bed.” 

     Hastings continues to work with these children as much as she can and make a difference in their lives.

     “It is very rewarding,” Hastings said. “I am glad NIL brought me to these kids.”

     Though NIL has seemed to be a beneficial policy for collegiate athletes, the question still remains concerning those who are still in high school. 

     Opponents of this policy have concerns about age limits, arguing that while it might work for college students who are 22 years old, will a 14-year-old freshman in high school be able to handle it?

     The State Board of Education has provided a rigid set of requirements for an athlete to participate and NIL and a strict list of “do’s” and “don’ts” to ensure a great experience.

     According to High School Over Time, before any NIL agreement can be made official, the student-athlete must provide a copy of the agreement to the principal and athletic director at the school. The student is also required to take the NIL education course offered by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

     These profitable opportunities for high school athletes can be presented in a variety of ways, some including public appearances or commercials, autograph signings and athletic camps and clinics.

    Though these look different from what Hastings is used to, she believes this is a great step for high school athletes and thinks it is important to recognize the younger generation. 

     “I think it’s good that athletes are getting paid for what they do,” Hastings said. “When you're doing sports even in high school, it restricts you from having a job so I think it’s good even though it’s taking up so much of your time you’re getting paid for it when you are unable to work.”

     While what the future holds for NIL is still obscure, this new law will open many doors and present many opportunities for high school athletes in North Carolina.