A bill was recently introduced in the Mississippi state government that would allow high school student athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness.

Jeffery Harness proposed the bill on Jan. 16. The bill would get the ball rolling on the early stages of student athletes being compensated financially with particular guidelines. These range from not being based on athletic performance, can‘t be used to recruit or transfer athletes, must follow Mississippi law and not allow pay-for-play. So long as the NIL agreement is in writing and signed by the student-athlete as well as their legal guardian, the deal will be given the green light under this bill.

A common concern brought into question regarding this bill is how the maturity, or lack thereof, will be handled among the student-athletes. In response to that concern, any amount of $10,000 a year or lower could be paid directly to the student-athlete or legal guardian. Money totaling up to over $10,000 would be required to be deposited into a restricted trust account that cannot be withdrawn from until the student-athlete turns 18 or graduates “for the benefit of the student-athlete”.

The deals would have to be disclosed to the Mississippi High School Activities Association for “informational purposes”. Any NIL disputes in the state will go straight to the Mississippi state courts and not the MSHAA.

If this bill is passed, it will take effect on July 1, and the deadline for the bill to be voted on is Feb. 12.

Potential issues to be on the lookout range anywhere from potential contract hold outs or funding disparities between athletics and academics. College sports fans have seen the NCAA be flipped on its head in the NIL era, and many hope to not see the same things happen to high school sports.