Mississippi bill proposes NIL rights for high school athletes

JACKSON, Miss. — High school athletes in Mississippi could soon profit from their personal brands under a new piece of legislation introduced in the state House of Representatives.

House Bill 1400, authored by Rep. Jeffrey Harness, D-Fayette, seeks to create the “Mississippi High School Student-Athlete NIL Protection Act.” The bill would allow minors to earn compensation for their name, image, and likeness (NIL), provided they have parental consent.

The proposal includes specific financial safeguards for young athletes:

• Direct Payments: Earnings up to $10,000 per calendar year can be paid directly to the student or their guardian.
• Trust Accounts: Any compensation exceeding $10,000 must be deposited into a restricted trust account, ensuring long-term financial protection.
• Contract Validity: Any agreement signed by a minor without a legal guardian’s signature would be considered void.

The bill has been referred to the Judiciary A Committee for further review. If passed, Mississippi would join a growing number of states formalizing NIL rights for prep stars, shifting the landscape of amateur sports across the state.