The rule
High school sports in Oregon are governed by the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA). The rule is Rule 8.4.4, Name, Image and Likeness, under Rule 8.4, Awards, in the 2026-2027 OSAA Handbook; Rule 8.4 was amended in October 2022. Everything on this page is taken from the OSAA's own text, linked under Sources.
| Question | What the rule says |
|---|---|
| Allowed? | Yes, since Rule 8.4 was amended in October 2022 |
| Who must be told | The member school where the student is enrolled or participating, of any proposed agreement or contract; no deadline or form is named |
| School and OSAA marks | No OSAA or school marks, logos or insignias, or apparel or equipment carrying them; no reference to the OSAA or the school's name or mascot; no district facilities or equipment; no practice or game film; no promoting during team activities |
| Banned categories | Adult entertainment; alcohol, tobacco, nicotine and vaping products; cannabis; controlled dangerous substances; prescription pharmaceuticals; political parties or candidates; any product illegal for people under 18; gambling including sports betting, the lottery and betting tied to video, online and mobile games; weapons, firearms and ammunition |
| Pay-for-play and recruiting | No pay contingent on performance, and none as an inducement to attend or stay (undue influence) |
| Schools, boosters, collectives | No pay provided by the member school or anyone affiliated with it, such as a coach, booster, teacher, administrator, parent, school booster club, collective, foundation or employee |
| Agents | The rule is silent; Oregon's athlete-agent act lets athletes retain an agent for NIL (ORS 702.200) and registers agents with the Department of Education |
| Penalty | Ineligibility for one calendar year after the date of the report of the violation |
| College eligibility | Compliance does not ensure NCAA, NAIA or NJCAA eligibility |
What the rule says
- The permission. "A student may earn compensation from the use of their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) provided that" the conditions below are met.
- Disclosure to the school. "The student-athlete discloses any proposed agreement/contract to the member school at which the student is enrolled and/or participating." No deadline or form is named.
- No OSAA or school identity. No OSAA or school marks, logos or insignias, or apparel or equipment carrying them; no reference to the OSAA or the school's name or mascot; no district facilities or equipment; no promoting during team activities. "The student shall not use school practice and/or game film for the purpose of NIL activities."
- Nine banned categories. Adult entertainment products or services; alcohol, tobacco, nicotine and vaping products; cannabis products; controlled dangerous substances; prescription pharmaceuticals; political parties or candidates; any product illegal for people under 18; gambling, including sports betting, the lottery and betting in connection with video games, online games and mobile devices; weapons, firearms and ammunition.
- Not for performance, not for enrolling. No pay contingent on performance, and none as an inducement to attend or stay, which the rule calls undue influence.
- Not from the school's side. No pay "provided by the member school or affiliated with the member school (e.g., coach, booster, teacher, administrator, parent, school booster club, collective, foundation, employee, etc.)."
- College eligibility. Compliance does not ensure NCAA, NAIA or NJCAA eligibility.
- The penalty. Under Rule 8.4, ineligibility "for one calendar year after the date of the report of the violation."
What sits on top of it
- Your school and district. A school or district can set a stricter policy than the OSAA. The athletic director is the person who knows it.
- Private and non-member schools. The rule covers OSAA 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 Oregon
Can high school athletes sign NIL deals in Oregon?
Yes, since October 2022. OSAA Rule 8.4.4 allows a student to earn compensation from their NIL provided the conditions are met, including disclosure of any proposed agreement to the school, no OSAA or school marks, film or facilities, and nine banned categories.
Do I have to report an NIL deal in Oregon?
Yes. The rule says the student discloses any proposed agreement or contract to the member school at which the student is enrolled or participating. It names no deadline or form; the school's own policy may.
What is banned in Oregon that other states allow?
Political parties and candidates are on Oregon's list, along with any product illegal for people under 18, in addition to the usual adult entertainment, alcohol and nicotine, cannabis, controlled substances, prescription drugs, gambling and weapons.
What is the penalty in Oregon?
Under Rule 8.4, ineligibility for one calendar year after the date of the report of the violation.
Be your own agent. Leave.