As a high school athlete, I’ve always been focused on improving my game, balancing schoolwork, and finding ways to stand out to college recruiters. The idea of making money while still in high school was never part of the equation. Recently, everything changed with the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. These opportunities allow athletes to profit from their personal brand, and for someone like me, it could be a game-changer. The ability to monetize my talent and hard work while still pursuing my education and athletic dreams presents high school athletes with a chance that generations before us could never imagine.
For me, NIL isn’t just about making money, it’s about gaining independence, building my brand, and preparing for life beyond sports. Athletes pour countless hours into practice, games, and conditioning, often without tangible rewards beyond the love of the game and dreams of college scholarships. NIL deals finally open the door for athletes to be compensated for that dedication. They also allow athletes, especially those from underserved communities, to gain financial independence and visibility at a younger age.
Basketball player Peyton Kemp from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s shares his perspective. In a recent interview, he highlighted why NIL is such a positive change for athletes. “As student athletes, most of the time we don’t have the opportunities to go work, make money,” Kemp explained. “So you’re able to make money off the work we put in towards our crafts, towards our sports. It’s just a great opportunity to market ourselves for college opportunities or just building our brand outside of the sport that we play.”
I can relate to Kemp’s excitement. NIL opportunities are especially valuable for athletes looking to secure a future that extends beyond sports. Whether it’s partnering with local businesses or promoting causes we care about, NIL deals give us a platform to grow as entrepreneurs and community leaders. Personally, I’ve started thinking more about how to market myself, not just as an athlete, but as someone with a unique story to tell.
The road to NIL success isn’t without challenges. Critics argue that focusing on NIL deals could distract athletes from their academics and sports. It’s a fair point. Managing social media accounts, promotional events, and sponsors while balancing practice and exams isn’t easy. I’ve even wondered how I would juggle all those responsibilities.
However, I believe the rewards outweigh the risks. For athletes who learn to prioritize and manage their time, NIL deals can teach valuable lessons about business and branding that extend far beyond high school. Kemp emphasizes the importance of having a strong support system to handle these pressures. “The pressures that high school athletes face is just basically managing time and having the right people around you,” he shared. “Personally, I don’t really struggle with this because I have a great circle around me including my mom, family, and just other great people that have put time into me becoming a better person.” His experience shows that with guidance and discipline, high school athletes can balance it all.
NIL deals also provide an avenue for athletes to gain exposure, which is crucial in today’s competitive world. As Kemp explained, his large social media following, nearly 200,000 on Instagram, puts a spotlight on him, both as an athlete and a role model. “It makes me feel like there’s a lot of eyes on me,” he said. “I can’t really have the slip-ups that somebody else could have that had a smaller following because it’s just more eyes on me. Honestly, I’m able to influence people younger than me and just have a big platform that is a good thing, honestly.”
This kind of visibility can make a huge difference when it comes to college recruitment and future opportunities. Athletes with large followings or strong personal brands often stand out to recruiters. Even for those without massive audiences, NIL deals can start small, with partnerships with local businesses or nonprofits, as Kemp pointed out in our conversation. These smaller deals can help athletes build a foundation and gradually expand their reach.
However, it’s important to address one significant barrier, accessibility. Not every state allows high school athletes to participate in NIL deals. Michigan, for example, still prohibits athletes from signing NIL contracts. Kemp expressed hope for change soon, “Whenever it does come, it’s going to be good for the student athletes in the state because they won’t leave the state to go seek better opportunities.” He raises a crucial point, states that are lagging behind in NIL legislation risk losing talent to others with fewer restrictions.
Despite the legal hurdles, NIL offers opportunities for all athletes, regardless of their following or sport. Creativity and effort can help level the playing field. As Kemp suggested, athletes with smaller followings can focus on building their brand locally before expanding to larger deals. This strategy allows athletes to showcase their uniqueness and make themselves valuable partners to businesses.
The rise of NIL isn’t just a chance to make money, it’s a revolution in how athletes navigate their careers. That being said, there are valid counterarguments. Critics warn that NIL deals could shift the focus from academics and sports to business ventures, leading to burnout or poor performance. From my perspective, though, these challenges are surmountable with proper time management and clear priorities. Personally, I know that academics will always come first, with NIL deals as an added benefit rather than the main focus.
Another common criticism is that NIL opportunities may create inequities among athletes, favoring those in high-profile sports or with strong social media presences. While this concern is valid, I believe NIL encourages athletes to find creative ways to stand out. For example, Kemp mentioned his dream of partnering with his favorite candy brand, Mike and Ike’s. This shows that NIL deals aren’t limited to massive sponsorships, they can also reflect an athlete’s personal passions and connections.
Ultimately, NIL represents an incredible opportunity for high school athletes to grow as individuals, entrepreneurs, and leaders. For me, it’s about more than just the money, it’s about building a professional career that lasts beyond sports. Whether I continue into a professional athletic career or pursue journalism and communications, the lessons I would be learning from NIL will stay with me.
As the NIL landscape evolves, it’s my hope that more athletes embrace these opportunities and use them to create brighter futures for themselves. Whether it’s securing a deal with a major brand or working locally to build a following, NIL gives athletes the tools to control their narratives and shape their destinies. The world of high school sports is changing, and I’m excited to be part of this revolution.
