Two controversial proposals will be looked at by the IHSAA board during its May 4 meeting next week.

The IHSAA (Indiana High School Athletic Association) will consider adopting a policy that will bring name, image and likeness money to high school sports as well as look into a policy that could adopt a 35-second shot clock to high school basketball beginning in the 2028-29 season.

The NIL policy will allow high school athletes to enter into promotional deals with local businesses but will not allow student-athletes to link the promotional deal with the high school.

“You can’t sell, in our opinion, what you don’t own,” IHSAA Commissioner Paul Neidig said in a statement. “Students own their name, we’ve already established. But they don’t own the school’s name. They don’t own the uniform. They don’t own the facility. So, to be able to monetize off of that, we think shouldn’t be done. But if they can do it within their own name, we’re certainly perfectly fine with that.”

The NIL proposal is in part because of the NIL and how it has impacted college sports. At the high school level, Ben Davis coaches are in favor of baby steps before jumping right in.

“While I don’t think it will impact sports like cross country or swimming as much as your big time ones like football and basketball, I do not think it will be good for high school sports,” cross country coach Ryan McMaster said. “I am not against our athletes being able to earn money, especially for their talents and without taking time from practice like current jobs do, BUT I think it will be hard to regulate. Without rules around it there could become the Wild West.”

Track coach Mike Davidson is afraid of the message NIL money sends to both high school and collegiate sports.

“The collegiate model of NIL and the transfer portal has destroyed some of the basic character development tools of sports. Loyalty, perseverance, tenacity, overcoming adversity and the value of education and getting a degree have been put on a shelf in lieu of chasing the money,” Davidson said. “Many athletes have lost their opportunities thinking there was something better somewhere else.

“And the money issue that has created buying a team is obvious. Schools that don’t have ‘big bucks’ backers no longer have a chance. Do we want that to be what we teach our kids, especially when they are at a much more influential age. College created the wild west, no rules situation and is trying to figure out what to do about it. It could be ugly regarding the purity of why we have sports once it trickles down to high schools, no matter how that happens.”

Veteran girls basketball coach Stan Benge says the IHSAA needs to be cautious.

“Like most IHSAA rules there is no policing agency,” Benge said. “It is up to AD’s and school administrators to police themselves. This is more work for these people. If everyone did it right sounds like it could work. Let’s hope it is done right.”

McMaster cautions the IHSAA to remember what word comes first in student-athlete.

“High School sports, while yes an important part is trying to win championships, is about developing athletes, not just teaching them to leave at the first sign of no playing time, more money, etc.,” McMaster said. “I think it should be about learning many of the soft skills that we focus on in IMPACT — how to work together, be a leader, communicate, handle adversity etc.

“Many kids will be great leaders and workers, no matter where they go, BUT I think if your top NIL guy isn’t meeting the standard or expectations set then coaches may be afraid to hold them to that standard because they may fear them transferring after the season or what future NIL athletes and parents might think. I think that sends the wrong message to the rest of the team.

“Finally, again the goal is STUDENT-Athlete, not just Athlete. Will exceptions be made for athletes on NIL to ensure even if they aren’t passing a class that they remain eligible since they are receiving money? We want kids to at least get a high school degree AND set them up (if they are good enough for NIL money the assumption would be they can find a college to compete at too) for success in college and beyond. Depending on how they get treated in high school, they may not learn the academic, perseverance and other habits needed beyond the high school level.”