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Should high school athletes be paid for use of their name, image or likeness?

  • Scott LaMar
A screenshot of the coverage from last Friday's football game between State College Area High School and Cumberland Valley High School.

 C-NET Centre County

A screenshot of the coverage from last Friday's football game between State College Area High School and Cumberland Valley High School.

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Airdate: Monday, July 18, 2022

College athletes — especially college football players — have been the main focus in the conversation about NIL — being compensated for the use of their name, image or likeness. Bryce Young, the first-year quarterback at the University of Alabama had $1 million lined up in NIL money before he even played a game last year. Another freshman — quarterback Jaden Rashada — has reportedly signed a NIL deal worth $9.5 million before he has played a snap at the University of Miami.

Obviously the money won’t be the same, but high school athletes in Pennsylvania may be able to profit from the use of the name, image and likeness.

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, that governs high school sports, is working on a policy for NIL and young athletes.

The P.I.A.A.’s Associate Executive Director Melissa Mertz is on Monday’s Smart Talk with details.

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