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Today’s Case

Former USFL president launches spring football league for top high school recruits, will have less restrictive NIL rules

Brian Woods, the founder of The Spring League and recent iteration of the USFL, announced plans for the Prep Super League. Consisting of 12 teams spread throughout the country, the league will recruit four- and five-star talent to play in its inaugural season in spring 2024. The league will also have less restrictive NIL policies, allowing athletes to profit from their publicity rights.

Prep Super League has partnered with NOCAP Sports to assist in facilitating NIL deals with athletes. If an athlete were to earn a partnership with a major brand during their time with the Prep Super League, however, it could put their amateur status in limbo if their state association prohibits NIL.

Currently, 29 states plus Washington D.C. allow high school athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness without losing amateur status. However, big high school football powerhouse states such as Texas, Florida and Georgia currently prohibit high school athletes from executing NIL deals.

Woods: “…a player that comes into the Prep Super League will come into a league that’s going to really raise his brand awareness. The athlete could increase his opportunities for either more NIL deals or NIL deals with more monetary value behind them.”

The Verdict:

• This sounds like a less than optimal idea

  • Instead of working to develop for the next high school season, athletes would be playing in a six-week league with some upside and a lot of downside. (Injury potential, possible lack of development, limited viewing exposure, etc.)

    • Also, playing in April and May means these athletes are still in school - so time is being taken away from that (albeit this is during the NCAA recruitment period).

• Not seeing the less restrictive NIL rules aspect of this league

  • High school athletes who play in an NIL-prohibited state that would play in this League (assuming in a city/state where they live) still can’t do NIL deals - and doing so will cause them to lose amateur status/eligibility.

    • Not sure how Prep Super League will work around this without violations. Perhaps it’s an educational angle where athletes can learn about NIL and are prepped to do deals when they go to college? (Although I’m sure there may be some jealousy amongst players who get NIL deals because they live in a state that permits it.)

  • More NIL deals/and or NIL monetary value deals is also not guaranteed.

    • Unless there are several large brands that have already committed to granting NIL deals for athletes playing in this league, this is not a surefire approach to improving a player’s NIL and a somewhat false hope of telling athletes they’ll get NIL deals.

Angel Reese signs NIL deal with Starry, stars in commercial with Zion Williamson, Karl-Anthony Towns

The Bayou Barbie continues to build her NIL empire. Check out this video for more!

Question of the Day

Will all 50 states eventually approve NIL for high school athletes?

• Yes

• No

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