Ohio NIL Landscape 2026
Ohio NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Regulatory & Business Landscape
Section titled “Ohio NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Regulatory & Business Landscape”Research Date: February 18, 2026 Status: Current as of early 2026
Table of Contents
Section titled “Table of Contents”- Ohio NIL Laws & Regulations
- NCAA NIL Rules 2025-2026
- Competitive Landscape
- Market Size & Opportunity
- Best Practices for NIL Agency Operations
1. Ohio NIL Laws & Regulations
Section titled “1. Ohio NIL Laws & Regulations”Ohio House Bill 184 (Signed into Law)
Section titled “Ohio House Bill 184 (Signed into Law)”Status: Signed by Governor Mike DeWine on December 23, 2025. Effective date: March 18, 2026.
Sponsors: Representatives Brian Stewart and Ty D. Mathews (136th General Assembly).
Legislative History:
- Introduced: March 18, 2025
- Passed Ohio House unanimously: May 14, 2025
- Passed Ohio Senate (with amendments, including unrelated budget items): November 2025
- Signed by Governor DeWine: December 23, 2025
Key Provisions:
| Provision | Details |
|---|---|
| Contract Length Limits | NIL contracts cannot extend beyond a student-athlete’s period of eligibility for intercollegiate athletics. Any contract requiring compensation or NIL rights post-eligibility is void. |
| Trust Account Requirements | Athlete agents must deposit revenues earned on behalf of athletes into monitored trust accounts overseen by the Ohio Athletic Commission. |
| Post-Eligibility Protection | Prohibits any person or agent from entering NIL agreements that require future compensation or rights after eligibility ends. |
| Fee Sharing Restrictions | Agents are prohibited from sharing fees with unauthorized parties without the athlete’s written consent. |
| Mediation | All disputes under NIL agreements must be mediated in the State of Ohio. |
Sources:
- Ohio House: HB 184 Signing
- Ohio Capital Journal: Lawmakers Pass HB 184
- Lima Ohio: DeWine Signs Bill
- WKTN: Rep. Mathews on HB 184 Signing
Ohio Athletic Commission: Athlete Agent Registration
Section titled “Ohio Athletic Commission: Athlete Agent Registration”Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4771 governs athlete agent registration. Any individual who desires to serve as an athlete agent in Ohio must register with the Ohio Athletic Commission.
Registration Requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | $500.00, recurring biennially (every 2 years) |
| Surety Bond | Minimum $15,000 bond required before licensing |
| Trust Fund | Evidence of an established trust fund per commission rules |
| Application Contents | Name, residential address, business address, 5-year employment history, names/addresses of persons with financial interest in the business |
| Qualifications | Affidavit describing formal training or practical experience; OR for attorneys admitted to practice in Ohio, a certificate of good standing from the Ohio Supreme Court |
Agent Contract Requirements (ORC 4771.02):
- Must be in writing on a form approved by the Ohio Athletic Commission
- Must include all agreements between the parties
- Must contain language: “The athlete agent entering this agreement is registered to serve as an athlete agent with the Ohio Athletic Commission”
- Must note that registration “does not imply approval by the commission of the terms and conditions of this contract or the competence of the athlete agent”
Athlete Notification Requirement: Athletes must give written notice of any agent contract to their institution’s athletic director prior to participating in or practicing for officially sanctioned athletic competition, or within 72 hours after entering the contract.
Sources:
- Ohio Revised Code Section 4771.02
- Ohio Athletic Commission Agency Fees (LSC)
- Ohio Athlete Agent Bond Requirements
OHSAA Rules for High School Athletes
Section titled “OHSAA Rules for High School Athletes”Current Status: High school NIL is PERMITTED as of November 2025, but faces an active legislative challenge in early 2026.
Timeline of Events:
-
September 2025: OHSAA Board of Directors approved NIL language for a member school referendum, originally scheduled for May 2026.
-
October 2025: A Franklin County judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing OHSAA from enforcing its ban on high school NIL, following a lawsuit by Jasmine Brown on behalf of her son Jamier Brown (an Ohio State football commit from Dayton).
-
November 21, 2025: Emergency bylaw referendum passed convincingly:
- 447 schools in favor (of 815 member schools)
- 121 against
- 247 abstained
- Effective immediately upon passage
-
February 2026: Ohio House Bill 661 introduced by Representatives Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) and Mike Odioso (R-Green Twp.) to ban NIL deals for middle and high school athletes, overruling the OHSAA decision. The bill is currently in the House Education Committee (first hearing Feb. 4, 2026).
Current OHSAA NIL Rules (while permitted):
- Student-athletes may be compensated for endorsements, social media content, personal appearances, licensing agreements, and other activities tied to public recognition
- Must comply with OHSAA eligibility rules
- Cannot use school logos/marks without permission
- Schools must maintain oversight
Pending Threat: HB 661 sponsors argue NIL deals harm student-athlete well-being, increase compliance demands for schools, and create de facto recruitment through unofficial deals. This bill’s outcome will significantly affect any agency considering high school athlete representation in Ohio.
Sources:
- OHSAA NIL Resource Center
- WCPO: Ohio House Bill to Prohibit HS NIL
- Ohio Capital Journal: Republicans Introduce Ban
- Eleven Warriors: Lawmakers Introduce HS NIL Ban
- The Lantern: Banning NIL for Middle and High School
2. NCAA NIL Rules 2025-2026
Section titled “2. NCAA NIL Rules 2025-2026”House v. NCAA Settlement
Section titled “House v. NCAA Settlement”Settlement Approved: June 6, 2025, by Judge Claudia Wilken (U.S. District Court, Northern District of California).
Settlement Value: $2.576 billion class action settlement.
Effective Date: Injunctive provisions took effect July 1, 2025. Appeals pending but do not affect implementation.
Revenue Sharing (Direct Pay)
Section titled “Revenue Sharing (Direct Pay)”| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 Benefits Cap | $20.5 million per institution |
| Cap Basis | 22% of average shared revenue generated by Power Five institutions |
| Applicability | Each institution is permitted (not required) to distribute revenue to athletes |
| Projected Growth | Cap estimated to reach ~$33 million by 2034 |
| Model | Dual-compensation: athletes may earn both institutional revenue sharing AND external third-party NIL income |
NIL Reporting Requirements
Section titled “NIL Reporting Requirements”| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Reporting Threshold | All third-party NIL contracts worth $600 or more |
| Reporting Platform | NIL Go (built by Deloitte, managed by the College Sports Commission) |
| Reporting Deadline | Written documentation within 5 business days of execution or agreement to payment terms |
| Penalty for Non-Reporting | Ineligibility for the student-athlete |
| Review Standard | Deals reviewed for valid business purpose and fair market value |
| Purpose | Ensure deals are not disguised recruitment incentives |
College Sports Commission (CSC)
Section titled “College Sports Commission (CSC)”Established June 6, 2025, the CSC is the central enforcement body for the House settlement:
- Implements and enforces settlement terms governing revenue sharing, NIL deals, and roster limits
- Oversees NIL Go reporting platform
- Can run investigations and issue penalties
- Penalties include: postseason bans, fines, reduction of NCAA/conference revenue distributions, loss of postseason revenue, reductions in transfer athletes, roster size reductions, or scholarship reductions
October 2025 Amendments
Section titled “October 2025 Amendments”On October 28, 2025, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors adopted further amendments:
- Expanded NIL reporting obligations for both student-athletes and institutions
- Introduced consequences for noncompliance
- By late 2025/early 2026, the CSC was rejecting a meaningful number of submitted deals, confirming that review is substantive (not rubber-stamp)
Valid Business Purpose Standard
Section titled “Valid Business Purpose Standard”For deals over $600, the CSC evaluates:
- Does the deal demonstrate a legitimate commercial rationale?
- Is the student-athlete’s NIL being used to promote a good/service offered to the public for profit?
- Does the entity comply with industry-standard NIL practices?
- Is the compensation reasonable relative to the athlete’s market value?
Institutional Compliance Obligations
Section titled “Institutional Compliance Obligations”- Institutions have affirmative duties when they become aware of NIL activity through athletics staff, donor interactions, booster collectives, or other associated entities
- “Institutional knowledge” now plays a central role in compliance
- Schools must actively monitor and report, not just passively receive information
Sources:
- NCAA: Proposed Rule Changes Under House Settlement
- Steptoe: NIL Compliance Tightens
- NIL Revolution: House Settlement Impact
- Butler Snow: NIL After House in 2026
- NIL Revolution: NIL Go Framework
- NIL Newsstand: College Sports Commission Rules
- Congress.gov: College Athlete Compensation
3. Competitive Landscape
Section titled “3. Competitive Landscape”Major NIL Platforms Operating in Ohio
Section titled “Major NIL Platforms Operating in Ohio”| Platform | Type | Key Features | Ohio Presence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opendorse | Marketplace + Compliance | Athlete valuation tools, deal negotiation, institutional compliance software, social media analytics. Used by 150K+ athletes. | Integrated with many Ohio D1 programs |
| INFLCR (Teamworks) | Compliance + Analytics | Social media impact tracking, content management, brand partnership analytics | Used by institutional compliance offices |
| NIL Go (Deloitte) | Compliance/Reporting | Mandatory reporting platform for all deals over $600. Central clearinghouse. | Required for all Ohio D1 institutions |
| Icon Source | Marketplace | ~20,000 athletes, connects brands with athletes. Manual matching process. | National platform, no Ohio-specific presence |
| MOGL | AI-Powered Marketplace | AI-driven brand matching, automated deal flow | Growing D1 adoption |
| NIL Club | Social Media Marketplace | Brand Deals feature connecting athletes to corporate partners; 50,000+ athletes joined campaigns within first 3 months of launch | National platform |
| Agency Athlete Network | Agent Support Platform | Contract templates, onboarding materials, 30-step agency launch roadmap, backend support for agents | National platform for boutique agents |
Ohio NIL Collectives
Section titled “Ohio NIL Collectives”Ohio State University
Section titled “Ohio State University”Ohio State has the most developed NIL infrastructure in the state:
| Entity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| THE Foundation | Active (Advisory) | Founded by Brian Schottenstein and Cardale Jones. Was the first major OSU NIL collective. Now serves in advisory capacity to Buckeye Sports Group. Still actively fundraising (helped land Caleb Downs and contributed to National Championship run). |
| The 1870 Society | Consolidated | Second major NIL collective. Merged under Buckeye Sports Group umbrella. |
| Buckeye Sports Group | Active (Primary) | Launched June 2025 as a joint venture between Ohio State Athletics and Learfield. Consolidated THE Foundation and The 1870 Society. Manages all existing NIL contracts. Functions as a media rights and in-house NIL operation. |
University of Cincinnati
Section titled “University of Cincinnati”| Entity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cincy Reigns | Active | Independent collective governed by a board of UC supporters, hall of famers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and Olympians. Works closely with UC compliance but is not officially affiliated with the university. |
| Cincy Connect NIL | Active | Announced August 2025. Official in-house NIL unit of Cincinnati Athletics. Oversees all NIL opportunities for Bearcats student-athletes. |
Xavier University
Section titled “Xavier University”| Entity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| All For One Fund | Active | Has launched branded NIL products (e.g., Muskie Lager partnership with Cincinnati Beverage Company). |
Other Ohio Schools
Section titled “Other Ohio Schools”Most MAC conference schools (Kent State, Akron, Toledo, Bowling Green, Ohio University, Miami) and smaller programs (Cleveland State, Wright State, Youngstown State, Dayton) do not have prominent, publicly visible NIL collectives. This represents a significant gap in the market.
Emerging NIL Trend: Branded Products
Section titled “Emerging NIL Trend: Branded Products”Several Ohio institutions have entered the NIL beer/beverage industry in late 2025, creating branded alcoholic beverages as a revenue stream. This represents a new category of NIL commercialization beyond traditional endorsements.
Sources:
- Ohio State: NIL Collectives
- Front Office Sports: OSU Rebuilt NIL Strategy
- THE Foundation Ohio
- On3: The O Foundation
- Ohio State / Learfield: Buckeye Sports Group Launch
- Cincy Reigns
- UC Athletics: Cincy Connect NIL
- WVXU: College NIL Beer Industry
Gap Analysis: Opportunity for a Boutique Ohio-Focused NIL Agency
Section titled “Gap Analysis: Opportunity for a Boutique Ohio-Focused NIL Agency”| Gap | Details |
|---|---|
| Mid-Major / MAC Athletes | Ohio has 6+ MAC schools (Akron, Bowling Green, Kent State, Miami, Ohio, Toledo) with no significant collective or agency support. Athletes at these programs are largely self-navigating NIL. |
| D2/D3/NAIA Athletes | Ohio has approximately 15+ D2 schools, 21 D3 schools, and 12 NAIA schools. These athletes are almost entirely unserved by existing NIL infrastructure. |
| Non-Revenue Sports | Even at Ohio State and Cincinnati, athletes in non-revenue sports (swimming, wrestling, track, soccer, etc.) receive minimal NIL agency attention. Deals are concentrated in football and men’s basketball. |
| Women’s Sports | Women receive only 24-39% of NIL compensation depending on division, despite growing brand interest (volleyball NIL deal value rose 146% YoY). Ohio has strong women’s programs (OSU women’s basketball, Cincinnati volleyball) that are underserved. |
| High School Athletes | Ohio just permitted HS NIL (Nov 2025). No dedicated agency exists for Ohio HS athletes, though HB 661 creates regulatory uncertainty. |
| Local/Regional Brands | Most NIL activity is driven by national brands. Ohio’s robust regional economy (Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton metros) has local businesses that could benefit from athlete partnerships but lack a matchmaking service. |
| Financial Literacy | Most NIL platforms focus on deal-making, not athlete financial education, tax planning, or long-term brand building. A boutique agency offering holistic services would differentiate significantly. |
| Compliance Navigation | With HB 184 taking effect March 2026 and evolving NCAA/CSC rules, athletes and their families need guidance on Ohio-specific compliance that national platforms do not provide. |
4. Market Size & Opportunity
Section titled “4. Market Size & Opportunity”National NIL Market Size
Section titled “National NIL Market Size”| Year | Estimated Market Size | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 (Launch) | ~$393 million | Initial NIL era begins July 1, 2021 |
| 2022 | ~$500 million | Market growth, collective formation |
| 2023 | ~$700 million | Expanded brand participation |
| 2024 | ~$1.0 billion | Maturation of collective model |
| 2024-25 | ~$1.67 billion | 40%+ YoY growth |
| 2025-26 (est.) | ~$2.0-2.5 billion | House settlement + revenue sharing launch |
| 2026-27 (proj.) | ~$2.6 billion | Revenue sharing ramp-up |
Marketing NIL deals (direct brand-to-athlete) are projected to grow from $234 million to nearly $1 billion in 2025-26, separate from collective/booster payouts.
Ohio-Specific Market Estimation
Section titled “Ohio-Specific Market Estimation”Ohio does not have a separately tracked NIL market, but we can estimate based on the state’s share of collegiate athletics:
Ohio College Athletics Inventory:
| Division | Schools in Ohio | Est. Athletes per School | Est. Total Athletes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA Division I | 13 | 400-600 | ~5,200-7,800 |
| NCAA Division II | ~15 | 250-350 | ~3,750-5,250 |
| NCAA Division III | 21 | 200-300 | ~4,200-6,300 |
| NAIA | 12 | 150-250 | ~1,800-3,000 |
| Total | ~61 | — | ~15,000-22,000 |
Ohio D1 Schools (13):
- Ohio State University (Big Ten) — Columbus
- University of Cincinnati (Big 12) — Cincinnati
- Xavier University (Big East) — Cincinnati
- University of Dayton (Atlantic 10) — Dayton
- University of Akron (MAC) — Akron
- Bowling Green State University (MAC) — Bowling Green
- Kent State University (MAC) — Kent
- Miami University (MAC) — Oxford
- Ohio University (MAC) — Athens
- University of Toledo (MAC) — Toledo
- Cleveland State University (Horizon) — Cleveland
- Wright State University (Horizon) — Dayton
- Youngstown State University (Horizon) — Youngstown
Estimated Ohio NIL Market Size:
- Ohio represents approximately 3-4% of national D1 programs
- Ohio State alone is estimated to have one of the top 10-15 NIL spending programs nationally
- Conservative estimate: $50-80 million in total Ohio NIL activity (2025-26)
- Addressable market for a boutique agency (mid-major, D2, non-revenue, women’s): $5-15 million
Average NIL Deal Sizes by Sport and Division
Section titled “Average NIL Deal Sizes by Sport and Division”| Category | Average NIL Earnings (per athlete) | Median | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All D1 Athletes (2024-25) | $53,643 | $3,371 | Huge disparity between mean and median |
| P4 Athletes (all sports) | ~$43,000 | — | Power 4 conference athletes |
| G5 Athletes | ~$3,800 | — | 1032% less than P4 |
| FCS/Non-Football | ~$3,500 | — | 1129% less than P4 |
| Men’s Basketball (Top 25) | ~$349,000 | — | Highest per-athlete average due to small rosters |
| Football (Top 25) | ~$294,000 | — | Highest total spending but lower per-athlete due to large rosters |
| Men’s Basketball (avg) | ~$65,853 | — | Highest average earnings per player across all sports |
| Women’s Basketball | Top 5 in NIL activity | — | Engagement outpaces male counterparts |
| Volleyball | 146% YoY growth | — | Fastest growing women’s sport for NIL |
Key Insight: The median NIL deal is only $3,371, meaning the vast majority of athletes earn small amounts while a few stars earn millions. This creates opportunity for an agency focused on volume — helping many athletes secure $1,000-$10,000 deals — rather than chasing the rare six-figure deal.
Sources:
- Athletic Business: NIL Market $1.67B
- nil-ncaa.com: Revenue Sharing & NIL Estimates
- Opendorse: NIL at 3 Report
- RallyFuel: NIL Earnings 2025 vs 2024
- OC&C Strategy: Unlocking NIL Opportunity
- SponsorUnited: NIL Endorsements Report
- Paint Touches: NCAA NIL Data
5. Best Practices for NIL Agency Operations
Section titled “5. Best Practices for NIL Agency Operations”Compliance Framework
Section titled “Compliance Framework”An NIL agency operating in Ohio must maintain compliance at four levels simultaneously:
| Level | Authority | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Federal | IRS, FTC | 1099 reporting for payments over $600; FTC endorsement disclosure rules |
| NCAA / CSC | College Sports Commission via NIL Go | All deals over $600 reported within 5 business days; valid business purpose; fair market value |
| State of Ohio | Ohio Athletic Commission + HB 184 (eff. 3/18/2026) | Agent registration ($500/biennial), $15,000 surety bond, trust account for athlete funds, contracts must terminate at end of eligibility, mediation in Ohio |
| Institutional | Each school’s compliance office | Varies by school; must coordinate with athletic director; 72-hour notification requirement |
Compliance Checklist for Agency Launch:
- Register with Ohio Athletic Commission as athlete agent
- Obtain $15,000 surety bond
- Establish monitored trust account per OAC rules
- Register with NIL Go (Deloitte/CSC platform)
- Develop standard contracts using OAC-approved forms
- Establish relationships with compliance offices at target schools
- Implement 1099 tracking and tax reporting systems
- Create FTC-compliant disclosure templates for sponsored content
Technology Platforms Used
Section titled “Technology Platforms Used”| Function | Platform Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deal Marketplace | Opendorse, MOGL, NIL Club, Icon Source | Connect athletes with brands |
| Compliance Reporting | NIL Go (mandatory), Opendorse Compliance, INFLCR | Required for all deals over $600 |
| Athlete Valuation | Opendorse, On3 NIL Valuations | Gauge fair market value |
| Social Media Analytics | INFLCR, Opendorse, standard social tools | Track athlete reach and engagement |
| Contract Management | Agency Athlete Network, custom CRM, DocuSign | Templates, e-signatures, tracking |
| Financial Management | QuickBooks, dedicated trust accounting software | Trust accounts, 1099 tracking |
| CRM | Custom-built or platforms like HubSpot, Salesforce | Athlete and brand relationship management |
Common Revenue Models
Section titled “Common Revenue Models”| Model | Description | Typical Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Commission on NIL Deals | Percentage of each deal brokered between athlete and brand | 15-20% (industry standard) |
| Commission on Collective Payouts | Percentage of collective payments facilitated | ~20% |
| Retainer / Advisory Fee | Monthly fee for brand strategy, compliance guidance, financial literacy | $200-$1,000/month |
| Brand Partnership Fees | Fees charged to brands for access to athlete roster | Varies widely |
| Content Creation Services | Agency produces branded content for athletes | Per-project pricing |
| Financial Planning Referrals | Referral fees from financial advisors, tax preparers | Referral commission |
| Event Appearances | Brokering paid appearances and speaking engagements | 15-20% commission |
Note: Florida has introduced legislation to cap agent fees for NIL at specific percentages. Ohio has not enacted a fee cap as of February 2026, but this is a trend to monitor.
Athlete Onboarding Process (Best Practice)
Section titled “Athlete Onboarding Process (Best Practice)”Phase 1: Discovery & Assessment (Week 1)
- Initial consultation with athlete (and family/guardian if minor or preferred)
- NIL valuation assessment (social media audit, sport/position analysis, academic standing)
- Review of existing contracts, endorsements, or obligations
- Compliance check: verify eligibility status with institution
- Explain Ohio-specific rules (HB 184 provisions, OAC requirements)
Phase 2: Setup (Week 2-3)
- Execute agent contract on OAC-approved form
- Athlete provides written notification to athletic director (72-hour requirement)
- Create athlete profile on NIL marketplace platforms (Opendorse, MOGL, etc.)
- Professional headshots and media kit creation
- Social media optimization (bio, content strategy, engagement plan)
- Set up NIL Go reporting access
Phase 3: Brand Matching & Deal Flow (Ongoing)
- Identify brand alignment based on athlete’s values, audience, and sport
- Pitch athlete to brands (both local/regional and national)
- Negotiate deal terms (deliverables, payment, timeline, exclusivity)
- Execute contracts with valid business purpose documentation
- Report all deals over $600 to NIL Go within 5 business days
- Deposit athlete payments into trust account per OAC rules
Phase 4: Execution & Growth (Ongoing)
- Coach athlete on content delivery and brand representation
- Monitor deliverable completion and brand satisfaction
- Track social media analytics and engagement metrics
- Quarterly financial review (earnings, taxes owed, deal pipeline)
- Annual brand strategy refresh
- Compliance audits (quarterly)
Differentiation Strategies for a Boutique Ohio Agency
Section titled “Differentiation Strategies for a Boutique Ohio Agency”-
Ohio-First Focus: Deep knowledge of Ohio law (HB 184, OAC rules, OHSAA status), relationships with Ohio school compliance offices, connections to Ohio-based businesses.
-
Holistic Athlete Development: Go beyond deal-making to include financial literacy workshops, tax planning partnerships, personal branding coaching, and post-eligibility career planning.
-
Volume Model for Mid-Market: Rather than competing for elite P4 athletes (dominated by national agencies), focus on the large underserved population of MAC, D2, D3, and NAIA athletes in Ohio where $1,000-$10,000 deals are the norm but still meaningful to athletes.
-
Local Brand Network: Build a curated network of Ohio businesses (restaurants, car dealerships, law firms, fitness brands, regional retailers) that want athlete endorsements but lack access.
-
Women’s Sports Specialization: Women’s volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, and soccer are growing fastest. Ohio has strong women’s programs. Early specialization in this segment creates first-mover advantage.
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Technology-Enabled but Relationship-Driven: Use platforms like Opendorse for marketplace access and MOGL for AI matching, but differentiate through personal relationships with athletes, families, coaches, and brand partners.
-
Compliance-as-a-Service: Offer compliance navigation as a core value proposition, especially valuable as HB 184 takes effect and CSC enforcement intensifies.
Sources:
- 116 & West: 8 Things About NIL Regulations 2025
- Schneider Downs: NCAA NIL Revenue Framework
- Athletic Director U: Sports Agent Role in NIL
- Agency Athlete Network: Agents
- Sports Court: Know Your Percentages for NIL
- NIL Network: NIL Marketplaces
- MWW: College Sports & NIL 2025
Key Risks & Considerations
Section titled “Key Risks & Considerations”| Risk | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| HB 661 (HS NIL Ban) | Could eliminate high school athlete market in Ohio | Monitor legislation; do not build business model dependent on HS athletes until resolved |
| Federal NIL Legislation | Congress has discussed but not passed federal NIL rules; could preempt state law | Build compliance framework that can adapt to federal standards |
| CSC Enforcement Escalation | CSC is actively rejecting deals; could increase scrutiny | Ensure every deal has documented valid business purpose and fair market value evidence |
| Revenue Sharing Cannibalization | As schools pay athletes directly ($20.5M cap), some third-party NIL demand may decrease | Focus on marketing deals and brand partnerships that complement (not compete with) institutional revenue sharing |
| Market Saturation at Top | Elite athlete NIL representation is crowded | Focus on underserved mid-market and regional segments |
| Trust Account / Bond Costs | $15K bond + trust account setup creates barrier to entry | Factor into startup costs; this also creates a moat against less-capitalized competitors |
Appendix: Ohio NIL Regulatory Timeline
Section titled “Appendix: Ohio NIL Regulatory Timeline”| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2021 | NCAA interim NIL policy takes effect nationally |
| 2021-2024 | Ohio has no state-level NIL law; operates under NCAA interim rules |
| March 18, 2025 | Ohio HB 184 introduced (136th General Assembly) |
| May 14, 2025 | HB 184 passes Ohio House unanimously |
| June 6, 2025 | House v. NCAA settlement approved; CSC established; NIL Go launched |
| July 1, 2025 | Revenue sharing begins ($20.5M cap); new NCAA NIL rules effective |
| June 2025 | Buckeye Sports Group launched (Ohio State + Learfield) |
| August 2025 | Cincinnati launches Cincy Connect NIL |
| October 2025 | Franklin County judge blocks OHSAA high school NIL ban (Jamier Brown case) |
| October 28, 2025 | NCAA Division I Board adopts expanded NIL reporting amendments |
| November 21, 2025 | OHSAA emergency referendum passes: HS NIL permitted (447-121) |
| November 2025 | HB 184 passes Ohio Senate (with amendments) |
| December 23, 2025 | Governor DeWine signs HB 184 into law |
| February 4, 2026 | HB 661 (HS NIL ban) first hearing in House Education Committee |
| March 18, 2026 | HB 184 takes effect |
This report was compiled from publicly available sources as of February 18, 2026. Regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly. Consult legal counsel before making business decisions based on this research.