COLUMBUS, Ohio (JMN Sports) – The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced Tuesday morning that a majority of the member school principals have voted against Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities for the state’s student-athletes.
Out of 792 of 817 member schools voting, the measure failed by a 538-254 decision. “No” won with a 68% outcome.
By rejecting a proposal that mirrored a referendum for college athletes passed in the last year, Ohio’s student-athletes will remain unable to sign endorsement deals without losing their amateur status.
“Every year, the referendum voting process shows that our member schools have a voice in this democratic process,” said OHSAA executive director Doug Ute. “Our office was very pleased with the discussion and insights our schools expressed this spring as we met with them about each of the 14 proposals. If NIL is going to enter the Ohio interscholastic landscape, we want the schools to be the ones to make that determination. Whatever we do moving forward, it will include discussion on this issue with our school administrators, Board of Directors, staff, and leaders of other state high school athletic associations.”
Had the proposal been passed, athletes would not have been able to use their school or OHSAA logos, and there would be no promotion of gambling, casinos, drug, tobacco, or alcohol use.