Cincinnati Public Schools
Student Resource Center
Honest Game
For student-athletes, Honest Game is a software that automates real-time academic eligibility tracking for college sports across all five divisions. With just one click, students, families, and schools can expertly manage and plan the athletic journey.
Name, Image and Likeness Update for CPS Students & Families
The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has officially passed its Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) bylaw, making Ohio the 45th state to allow high school student athletes to earn compensation for their personal brand. The new rule is in effect immediately.
As NIL becomes part of high school athletics in Ohio, CPS and our schools are committed to helping students and families navigate these opportunities safely, responsibly, and in full compliance with OHSAA rules.
What NIL Means for Students
Student-athletes may now be compensated for activities such as:
- Personal appearances
- Social media posts
- Youth camps/clinics they operate
- Endorsing products or businesses
Compensation must be based on a student’s name, image, or likeness, not for athletic performance, playing time, statistics, or choosing/remaining at a school.
Key OHSAA Restrictions (Bylaw 4-11)
- To protect amateur status and prevent recruiting violations, OHSAA prohibits:
- Using school or OHSAA logos, uniforms, mascots, or facilities in promotions
- NIL offers from boosters, collectives, foundations, school staff, or coaches
- Performance-based pay (points scored, wins, rankings, awards, etc.)
- NIL as a recruiting inducement to attend or remain at a school
- NIL during school hours or team activities (practices, games, meetings, travel)
- Deals tied to prohibited industries: gambling, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, adult content, firearms, or any category OHSAA deems inappropriate
CPS student-athletes must also comply with all transfer and amateurism rules.
Required Reporting
To protect eligibility:
- Families must disclose all NIL agreements to your School Athletic Director through email by sharing the details of the agreement (potential contract) and the OHSAA affirmation page
- Submit prior to signing a contract
- Families must also disclose NIL agreements to OHSAA through their OHSAA NIL Parent Portal
- Submit within 14 days after entering an agreement (per Bylaw 4-11-3)
Failure to disclose may result in up to 20% of season ineligibility or other penalties.
CPS Support for Students & Families
To ensure that NIL opportunities are positive, safe, and transparent, CPS will provide:
- Plain-language NIL Guides for students and caregivers
- Introductory webinars and FAQs on NIL basics and compliance
- A NIL Disclosure Email to School AD process for conflict review and eligibility protection (Consult with AD before signing)
- Education on red flags, scams, taxes, and contract literacy
(CPS does not provide legal or tax advice; families should consult independent professionals.)
Early Do’s & Don’ts (Based on OHSAA Bylaw 4-11)
Do:
- Keep NIL business completely separate from your team or school
- Discuss all opportunities with a parent/guardian
- Submit NIL disclosures to CPS by consulting with your Athletic Director before signing a contract to ensure it will not affect eligibility
- Submit all required information to OHSAA on time to avoid season ineligibility or other penalties.
- Consider legal/tax guidance before signing
Don’t:
- Use school logos, uniforms, fields, courts, locker rooms, or equipment in promotions
- Accept pay-for-play, award bonuses, or recruiting incentives
- Sign contracts you don’t understand
- Engage with prohibited industries or booster/collective entities
What’s Next
We will continue updating families as OHSAA releases more resources through its NIL Resource Center.
For questions, please reach out to your school athletic director.
Thank you for your partnership as we begin this new chapter in Ohio high school athletics.
RESOURCES
OHSAA FAQS
Compliance Handout
Info graphic
OHSAA NIL Resource Center