North Carolina Private School Football Players Getting Paid
Just when I was thought I was getting used to amateur/college athletes being paid for their services (not against this-btw), comes an eye-opening find today: North Carolina private school high school athletes are ALSO now eligible for NIL (name, image, and likeness compensation). In a word, WOW! Now, I do have a problem with this. When it comes to colleges and universities, athletes are capable of generating literally millions of dollars in revenue for their schools. Up until a couple of years ago, there was NO compensation for this. So again, I’ve got no issues with the NC State Wolfpack luring Coastal Carolina’s quarterback with financial incentives. He will earn and deserve them. That’s commerce. That’s America. However, what kind of revenue is being generated by the Providence Day quarterback?
North Carolina Private School Athletes Eligible For NIL Money?
First, let’s lay out the nuts and bolts here. In a ruling earlier this year, the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) made the decision that their athletes could join their college brethren and sign NIL deals without renouncing their amateur status. The organization’s student handbook spells it out. Student-athletes can now get paid for being in commercials for local businesses, running a camp or clinic, promoting a product or service on social media, or even signing an autograph. However, this proclamation (for now) only applies to private schools. For example, a star offensive lineman at Butler High School (public school) cannot get paid for his work under the Friday night lights. However, one from Providence Day, can.
How Much NIL Money Is How There For These Athletes?
I bring up Providence Day as an example as the QC News recently talked with head football coach, Chad Grier about this issue. “I think there’s a misconception among some, that think private schools have access to some pot of money to pay kids who they have some access to deals to pay kids,” Grier said. “It just doesn’t happen.” This makes total sense to me. Just because it can be done, doesn’t mean it is being done in this case. There’s just not enough revenue generated to warrant it. Now, can I see an athlete at a private school getting some deal from a local store owned by an alumni or supporter? Sure. Is this athlete getting rich in high school? No. Athletes “recruited” to Providence Day are getting their education taken care of and their focus remains more of what’s on the field. Leo Delaney is a highly thought of offensive lineman who transferred into the school from East Meck after his sophomore season. His focus? Going 13-0 and collecting another one of these moments for Providence Day.
