NIL Coming to St. Lucie County High Schools

Big news: St. Lucie County School Board is set to vote Tuesday night on allowing high school athletes to profit from their Name, Image, and Likeness. The board will hold a public hearing at 5:10 PM on November 18th to adopt Policy #2431.06, which would make St. Lucie County one of the Florida districts embracing the NIL era at the high school level.

Why it matters: St. Lucie County is home to some serious talent. Fort Pierce Central just clutched a playoff win against Palm Beach Central, showing exactly the kind of athletes who could benefit from NIL opportunities. Central kept the gas on the pedal offensively and stopped PBC when it mattered most, advancing in the playoffs. But the county has been competing at a disadvantage against neighboring areas like Vero Beach, where sources say NIL is already prominent.

For the uninitiated: NIL allows student athletes to make money from endorsements, social media posts, autograph signings, and other activities using their personal brand. Think local business sponsorships, social media deals, or appearance fees. It's been legal at the college level since 2021, and Florida's FHSAA approved it for high school athletes back in 2020. Now St. Lucie County is formalizing how it will work in their schools.

What coaches are saying:

"In this area St. Lucie County we have seen top tier athletes from various Sports that has made decisions that has cost them their athletic careers from the lack of funds or the lack of resources so with NIL coming to a area like such we can erase the invisible line between athletes and success," said Earl, Assistant Coach at Westwood Football.

"Whether you like it or not, the NIL era is here. It makes sense for SLC School District to follow the FHSAA's lead on the issue. Some of the best talent on the Treasure Coast calls St. Lucie County home. I'd encourage the district to increase support for all athletic programs, both middle and high school, to better compete with our neighboring counties," said Nicholas Clements, Fort Pierce Central Flag Football Head Coach.

"I think the NIL stuff is great for the growth of the game, but it needs to be more regulated. I'm excited to see it grow in the future," said Dalton Kent, Assistant Coach of Port St. Lucie High School Basketball.

What students can do:

• Profit from endorsements, social media, camps, and appearances
• Must comply with Florida law and FHSAA bylaws
• Are encouraged to seek legal counsel and tax advice before entering agreements

The big restrictions: Students cannot use school uniforms, logos, mascots, or any identifying marks in NIL activities. They can't reference their school, the FHSAA, or any championships when doing paid NIL work. They also can't endorse products during school or FHSAA events.

Prohibited categories: The policy bans NIL deals involving adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco, vaping, cannabis, gambling (including sports betting), weapons, political activism, and NIL collectives. NIL also cannot be used to recruit students to specific schools.

The NCAA warning: Students are solely responsible for figuring out if their NIL activities impact their eligibility for college sports. The district following this policy doesn't guarantee protection of amateur status.

What changed: An earlier draft of the policy required students to get "prior written consent from the school, District or governing body" before doing NIL deals. That requirement was struck from the final version, suggesting the district loosened restrictions to give students more freedom.

The challenge: While NIL opens doors for athletes to earn money, it also raises questions about equity, regulation, and how schools will manage these opportunities. Other counties have already gotten a head start, putting St. Lucie athletes at a potential disadvantage in recruiting and resources.

What's next: The School Board votes Tuesday, November 18th at 5:10 PM at the School Board Room, 9461 Brandywine Lane, Port St. Lucie. The public can attend and comment during the hearing.

Credit where it's due: Big thanks to Sunrise Sports Media for collaborating on this story and their incredible coverage of high school sports. If you want to keep up with local athletics and playoff action, give them a follow.

What do you think? Is NIL good for St. Lucie County athletes, or does it need more regulation? Drop your thoughts here.