The rule
High school activities in Arkansas are governed by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA). The rule is Article III, Rule 11, Amateurism, in the AAA 2026-2027 Handbook (file dated August 19, 2026), numbered Rule 10 in the 2024-25 and 2021-22 editions; Rule 11.E refers to the Arkansas Student-Athlete Publicity Rights Act (A.C.A. 4-75-1301 et seq.) and Rule 11.F, added by the 2026-27 edition, to all Arkansas NIL laws. Everything on this page is taken from the AAA's own text, linked under Sources.
| Question | What the rule says |
|---|---|
| Allowed? | Only by cross-reference; 11.C.3 bars pay for the use of a student's name, picture or person in advertising, 11.E lets students exercise rights under the state Publicity Rights Act, 11.F requires compliance with all Arkansas NIL laws |
| Who must be told | No one under the handbook |
| School and AAA marks | No NIL-specific rule; apparel or equipment used at a competition site may not advertise, except manufacturer names and logos (11.C.5) |
| Banned categories | None in the handbook |
| Compensation | Nothing beyond reasonable meals, lodging and travel (11.C.2) |
| Recruiting | Rule 5 defines recruiting as undue influence or special inducement by anyone connected with a member school; Rule 4.K covers the attestation forms under Act 475 of 2025 |
| Collectives | Nothing NIL-specific; boosters appear in the recruiting rules |
| Agents | No wording; Arkansas's athlete-agent act registers agents with the Secretary of State |
| Penalty | Up to 365 days of ineligibility in that sport (11.B) |
| The consent form | The AAA participation consent grants the released parties broad rights to use the student's name and likeness, including in commercial materials |
What the rule says
- The endorsement ban that is still there. Rule 11.C.3 bars accepting gifts, products, awards or money for letting the student's name, picture or person be used to advertise, promote or recommend a product, service, or commercial or political venture.
- The carve-out. Rule 11.E says students may exercise rights under the Arkansas Student-Athlete Publicity Rights Act; the 2024-25 edition carried the same carve-out as Rule 10.E ("Notwithstanding this rule"), and the 2021-22 edition had none.
- The new line. Rule 11.F, added in the 2026-27 edition, requires all athletes to comply with all Arkansas NIL laws. Whether it first appeared in 2025-26 could not be checked, since that edition could not be opened.
- What the statute decides. The handbook does not say which high school students the Publicity Rights Act covers or on what terms; the statute, which this page does not read, is the text for that.
- Compensation otherwise. Nothing beyond reasonable meals, lodging and travel (11.C.2); apparel or equipment at a competition site may not advertise except for manufacturer names and logos (11.C.5).
- Recruiting. Rule 5 defines recruiting as undue influence or special inducement by anyone connected with a member school; Rule 4.K covers the attestation forms required under Act 475 of 2025.
- The consent form. The AAA participation consent grants the released parties broad rights to use the student's name and likeness, including in commercial materials.
- The penalty. Up to 365 days of ineligibility in that sport (11.B). Re-check: the 2027-28 handbook and the 2027 legislative session, since the rule depends on the statute.
What sits on top of it
- Your school and district. A school or district can set a stricter policy than the AAA. The athletic director is the person who knows it.
- Private and non-member schools. The rule covers AAA member schools. A school in another association follows that association's rule.
- College rules later. A deal that is fine in high school can still matter to the NCAA, NJCAA or NAIA. At Division I, third-party deals of $600 or more go to NIL Go, and prospects report from the first day of junior year. The NIL guide has the college windows and NIL Go has its own page.
- Agents. The state's athlete-agent law applies to high school athletes; can a high school athlete have an agent? and the state-by-state registration table cover it.
- Taxes. NIL pay is taxable at any age. NIL taxes in plain words.
- The contract itself. What each clause means.
How Leave fits
In Leave, every deal thread carries a rules summary for the athlete's state, level and age, and a disclosure packet for the school comes with a countdown to the deadline. It is a summary, not a ruling; your school decides. Athletes 13 to 17 use Leave through an account a parent or guardian creates, and are visible to businesses only when the guardian has turned that on and the state allows high school NIL. Leave is software, not an agent. You decide, you send.
Questions about high school NIL in Arkansas
Can high school athletes sign NIL deals in Arkansas?
The AAA handbook does not say so itself. Rule 11.C.3 still bars pay for the use of a student's name, picture or person in advertising; Rule 11.E says students may exercise rights under the Arkansas Student-Athlete Publicity Rights Act; Rule 11.F requires compliance with all Arkansas NIL laws. Which high school students the Act covers is in the statute, not the handbook.
Do I have to report an NIL deal in Arkansas?
The AAA handbook sets no disclosure requirement. A school or district can set its own policy, and the statute may.
What changed in the 2026-27 Arkansas handbook?
The amateurism rule moved from Rule 10 to Rule 11, its wording was condensed, and Rule 11.F, requiring all athletes to comply with all Arkansas NIL laws, was added. The Publicity Rights Act carve-out was already in the 2024-25 edition; the 2021-22 edition had none.
What is the penalty in Arkansas?
Up to 365 days of ineligibility in the sport concerned, under Rule 11.B.
Be your own agent. Leave.