For months, the Florida High School Athletic Association has been discussing a policy that would allow high school athletes to be paid for their name, image and likeness (NIL).
Now, the time has come for the board of directors to put it to a vote. That vote is set to happen in a meeting Tuesday morning.
Dan LaForest, a wealth advisor, is privy to the ins and outs of NIL.
“Everybody that I talked to believes that they’re going to pass this,” LaForest said.
He said this would be a good opportunity for students.
“I look at it as a great business lesson for a lot of these young people,” LaForest said.
He does have concerns, though.
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“I think the biggest concerns they need to be aware of are understanding what the rules are with the FHSAA because they don’t want to get caught up in a situation where it could cost their child the ability to participate.
LaForest said the board’s bylaws list penalties. One of them would make players ineligible for NIL deals for the duration of their time in high school.
He suggested interested players and parents create a plan for how they’ll take advantage of brand deals and ensure any legal document is reviewed by an attorney.
You may remember Dakara Merthie beating News 6 reporter Treasure Roberts in basketball.
Roberts reconnected with the star high school basketball player and her mom, Tamicka Shelton Merthie, who said they are hoping for a “yes” vote on Tuesday.
“The NIL deal — if God blessed her with one — would definitely go to her education,” Shelton-Merthie said.
She said Dakara spends several hours perfecting her craft.
“Sometimes, she brings me to tears out there because I know she’s doing it because it’s her passion,” Shelton-Merthie said. “I’m all for the NIL deal because I see the sacrifices these young ladies are making young men are making.”
“... I think it would be the icing on the cake to show that they appreciate us. To show that everything we’ve done is finally coming back to us,” she said.
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