michelleponders

Texas House representatives Benjamin Bumgarner (D-63) and David Lowe (D-91) have both filed bills this legislative session that would allow Texas high school athletes to start monetizing their name, image and likeness (NIL). What is an NIL? In a nutshell, it gives college athletes the ability to make money using their name, image or likeness through the promotions, marketing, endorsements, and social media. There are bow 33 states that allow high school NIL deals as well as the District of Columbia(DC). Texas is looking to be the 34th state to allow high school athletes to make these deals.

NIL Explanation: State laws and school policies dictate how NIL are funded and what can be promoted by college athletes. Products such as alcohol, tobacco, and vaping are not allowed. NIL are paid and funded through numerous sources such as donors, athletic boosters, and corporations. Deals made for NIL can range from $1000 to $10,000 but can be higher depending on the athlete’s popularity, success, and followers on social media. NIL are taxable and must be filed with the IRS. Funding for NIL must also be filed with the IRS as NIL are not considered to be charitable giving.

Pros for NIL: NIL have become quite controversial since they were allowed in 2021 after Supreme Court decision which allowed college athletes to make money from their NIL. The following are the pros that those who support NIL say make them pay off. Supporters of NIL say they help college athletes become more financially independent and financially stable. Not all athletes get into college on scholarships or only get partial scholarships. Many college students have to work jobs in order to have money needed to get through college. NIL are a way for college athletes to make money for school without having to take on the responsibility of working. NIL have also been compared to a type of work/study program. And if the athletes do not have to work outside the school and have money to pay for college, they are more likely to stay in school. Supporters also say that NIL help in professional development as the athletes must interact with companies, donors, and corporations while promoting products and making appearances. Then through the promotions and appearances, the athletes engage with fans and the public.

Cons for NIL: The facts is, not all college athletes will receive the opportunities to receive NIL deals and in turn creates unequal access to finances for college. NIL can create major tension among teams mates which can dissolve team unity. Plus, an athlete may begin to become self-centered and is not concerned about the team goals. Smaller schools are usually skipped due to lack of opportunities given to smaller schools. NIL can create serious distractions from academics. There are huge time commitments when an athlete receives NIL deals. There are pressures to keep up a certain persona in public. There can also be a false sense of believing that professional sports will be an automatic deal. And when that deal falls through or does not materialize, you get a whiny twenty-something that has a 1.5 GPA and on academic probation with financial aid temporary discontinued. A young college athlete still quite naive about the world can be taken advantage of and exploited by agents who are only looking at potential money to be made.

Now, we have states that are allowing high school athletes to have NIL deals. 33 states and Washington DC in fact. Why? Why would adults put this kind of pressure on half grown kids who still think do not think about the repercussions of their actions? Not to mention that NIL deals will just create idol worshiping of sports which is not healthy. Teenagers in high school have enough pressures on them as it is. Will they receive that scholarship for college? Should they go to junior college first? What if they want to go to vocational school instead of college? Will they pick a career that will support them? What if they pick the military before college? Then there are social pressures of dating and friends. There are fashions to follow or be a trail blazer. And at the top of this list is the very fact of making the grades in academics. So many things that our teenagers must deal with when they honestly are struggling just to get through another day as a kid and growing up. Why would we add an unnecessary pressure? There are already entirely too much emphasis on athletics as it is. And do not tell me that NIL help high school athletes learn about handling money and making money for college. These kids need jobs in the real world. That way these kids can earn money, learn to handle money, learn to handle real world situations, stay focused on academics and still be in the safety of being under their parent’s wing. Once our kids leave home, whether moving out or attending college, they are no longer under the safety of our wings and protection. If we do not help our kids learn how to be successful and not be so naive, the real world will chew them up and spit them out. Our teenagers are under siege as it is from a very hostile world. The last thing our teenagers need is to be taken advantage of and led astray by money hungry agents.

Our high school athletes deserve so much more than worrying about making money based on stats and fame. These students need adults who will guide them spiritual, emotional, mentally, and in truth. Society will lead them astray. And if we do not teach these high school athletes that there is more to life than athletics, they will be let down in a way that there will be no recovery. Our kids are struggling with the lies that society has been telling them through TV, social media, and peers. We, the adults, have been so self absorbed that we are failing our kids. Allowing high school athletes make NIL deals would be another step in the wrong direction. The Texas legislation has no business putting this on our kids. HB2211 and HB3224 must not be voted on or passed. It just needs to die on the floor. Let our kids have fun for the love of the sport and not put athletics on the alter of idolatry.