Staying eligible in North Carolina

Name, image and likeness (NIL) at NCHSAA member schools

It is allowed, under a state rule the NCHSAA enforces at every member school. Skipping a step makes the student ineligible.

• The pay may not depend on athletic performance.
• If the student is under 18, a parent must be a party to the agreement.
• The student gives the school's administrators a complete, unredacted copy of the proposed agreement at least 10 business days before signing, and the signed copy within 5 business days after. The same applies to any amendment.
• The student, and a parent if the student is a minor, completes the NFHS NIL course at least 10 business days before signing and gives the school the certificate.
• The agreement must hold the school system, the NCHSAA and the State Board harmless.
• No reference to a school, school system, conference or the NCHSAA, and none of their names, uniforms, logos, marks or mascots. No promoting the sponsor, or wearing its apparel, at school competition or other school events.
• Not allowed at all: adult establishments or adult entertainment; alcohol; tobacco, vaping and other nicotine products; cannabis; controlled substances; opioids or prescription drugs; weapons, firearms or ammunition; casinos, gambling or betting; and anything that would disrupt the operations of a school.
• Athletic directors, coaches, other school employees, booster club and collective representatives may not use NIL to recruit a student to a school, act as a student's agent, or help arrange a deal.

Private schools (NCISAA)

Independent schools in the NCISAA follow different rules from the ones above.

• NIL is allowed, provided it stays separate from school athletics. The school and parents must submit the NCISAA's NIL approval form and have the State Office's approval before the student competes.
• No reference to the school or the NCISAA, and no school jersey, name, mascot or logo. Collectives are prohibited.
• The NCISAA's rules contain no prize-money rule. Its one statement defines an amateur as a student who has not used athletic skill "for financial gain".

Because the NCISAA sets no dollar limit and no approval step for prizes, ask the NCISAA State Office before a private school wrestler accepts prize money. Two versions of its NIL policy are posted; we cite the one its 2026-27 rules link to.

Source: NCISAA 2026-27 General Rules and Regulations; NCISAA name, image and likeness policy

What about college?

• A Division I school cannot put an NIL or revenue-share offer in writing before August 1 of senior year.
• That written offer cannot be signed before the signing date.
• The NCAA's own advice to high school wrestlers on NIL is to check with the state athletic association: here, the NCHSAA.

Rule: NCAA Division I Bylaw 13.9.3.1; House settlement question and answer B11. Source: NCAA Division I House settlement question and answer, May 2026; 2026-27 NCAA Division I Manual; NCAA 2026-27 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete