The rule
High school sports in Indiana are governed by the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA). The rule is Rule 5-7, Personal Branding Activity (PBA), in the IHSAA 2026-27 By-Laws, listed in that edition's summary of changes as an added rule; the 2025-26 By-Laws contain no NIL or PBA text. Everything on this page is taken from the IHSAA's own text, linked under Sources.
| Question | What the rule says |
|---|---|
| Allowed? | Yes, new for 2026-27, as "Personal Branding Activity" |
| Who must be told | The school's athletic director, in writing; schools may review agreements but may not prohibit compliant activity, and must protect PBA data |
| By when | Within 48 hours of entering into any PBA agreement |
| School representation | Barred; no school name, nicknames, mascots, logos, uniforms, traditions, achievements or any reference to the athletic programs; school facilities only under the general rental policy, with approval and without representation |
| Banned categories | Gaming or gambling; alcohol; tobacco; cannabis; illegal or banned substances including performance-enhancing substances; sexually explicit material; firearms or weapons |
| Limits | No athletic services tied to member schools; lessons, camps, appearances and private coaching are allowed if not tied to a school; schools may adopt stricter rules |
| Recruiting | PBA offered to entice a student to attend a particular high school for athletic purposes is prohibited |
| Collectives | No participation in, or benefits from, PBA collectives that work on behalf of any member school |
| Agents | The rule is silent |
| Penalty | Ineligibility of up to 365 days in the sport; schools that facilitate a violation or fail to report one face Rule 17-7.1 penalties; reinstatement under Rule 5-4 |
What the rule says
- The permission. "Students may develop and monetize their personal brand through social media, personal appearances, and endorsements unrelated to their school athletic participation."
- The 48-hour notice. "Students engaging in PBA activities must notify their school's athletic director in writing within 48 hours of entering into any PBA agreement." Schools may review agreements but "may not prohibit compliant activities," and must protect PBA data.
- No school representation. The school's name, nicknames, mascots, logos, uniforms, traditions, achievements, or any reference to the athletic programs. School facilities only under the general rental policy, with school approval and without representation.
- Seven banned categories. Gaming or gambling; alcohol; tobacco; cannabis; illegal or banned substances, including performance-enhancing substances; sexually explicit material; firearms or weapons.
- Athletic services. None tied to member schools; lessons, camps, appearances and private coaching are allowed if not tied to a school. Schools may adopt stricter rules.
- No recruiting, no collectives. PBA "offered to entice a student to attend a particular high school for athletic purposes" is prohibited, as is participation in or benefits from "PBA collectives that work on behalf of" any member school.
- College eligibility. The student and parent or guardian "must determine whether the PBA might affect NCAA, NJCAA, and/or NAIA eligibility."
- The penalty. "Students who violate PBA provisions shall be subject to ineligibility periods not to exceed Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days from the date of violation in the sport concerned."
- A first-year rule. Listed as added in the 2026-27 summary of changes; the 2027-28 By-Laws are the re-check.
What sits on top of it
- Your school and district. A school or district can set a stricter policy than the IHSAA. The athletic director is the person who knows it.
- Private and non-member schools. The rule covers IHSAA 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 Indiana
Can high school athletes sign NIL deals in Indiana?
Yes, from the 2026-27 school year. IHSAA Rule 5-7, Personal Branding Activity, says students may develop and monetize their personal brand through social media, personal appearances and endorsements unrelated to their school athletic participation. The 2025-26 By-Laws had no such rule.
Who do I report a deal to in Indiana, and by when?
The school's athletic director, in writing, within 48 hours of entering into any PBA agreement. Schools may review agreements but may not prohibit activity that complies with the rule.
Can I use my school's name or logo in Indiana?
No. The rule bars "School Representation": the school's name, nicknames, mascots, logos, uniforms, traditions, achievements or any reference to its athletic programs. School facilities may be used only under the general rental policy, with approval and without any representation.
What is the penalty in Indiana?
Ineligibility of up to 365 days from the date of the violation in the sport concerned. Schools that facilitate a violation or fail to report one face penalties under Rule 17-7.1, and reinstatement follows Rule 5-4.
Be your own agent. Leave.