NIL — Name, Image and Likeness

Diocese of Columbus NIL Information Meeting

January 14, 2026

OHSAA

Name, Image and Likeness (NIL)

Name, Image and Likeness (NIL)

Diocesan Policy 5203

Effective: January 2026

This policy establishes additional expectations for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) activities within the Catholic high schools of the Diocese of Columbus. Its purpose is to protect student-athletes, uphold amateur status, ensure competitive fairness, and maintain compliance with all Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) bylaws. Because the mission of Catholic education extends beyond athletics, these expectations also ensure that NIL participation supports rather than diminishes our Catholic identity, culture, and moral formation. In every school of the Diocese, Catholic culture remains the primary concern and guiding principle.

Catholic Moral Framework

All NIL activity must reflect the values integral to Catholic education. Schools, families, and student-athletes share responsibility for promoting ethical behavior, personal integrity, stewardship of gifts, and the holistic development of each young person. To that end, the Diocese emphasizes the following expectations:

• NIL participation must cultivate honesty, fairness, and responsible stewardship.
• NIL opportunities may never compromise a student’s academic responsibilities, faith life, or moral character. In addition to the prohibited categories listed in the OHSAA policy, no NIL agreements may conflict with a Catholic worldview or with Catholic doctrine or teachings. Failure to comply with this expectation may result in disciplinary consequences including removal from a team or discontinued enrollment in a Catholic school. Principals are empowered to enforce this provision within their school communities.
• Students and parents/guardians should consider the broader impact of NIL agreements on their school community and their personal witness to the faith.
• Honesty and full transparency in disclosures to the school and to the OHSAA are essential moral requirements.
• Students and parents/guardians should engage in prayerful discernment, using their God-given talents in ways that reflect humility and virtue.
• Students and parents/guardians should practice stewardship, charity, and service in financial and public-facing decisions related to NIL opportunities.
• Schools and personnel will conduct all NIL monitoring and review activities with fairness, compassion, and a commitment to moral accountability.
• All members of the school community must work to maintain a culture of trust, transparency, and ethical responsibility.

Recruitment and Transfer Expectations

In accordance with OHSAA regulations, NIL benefits may not be used to recruit student-athletes. All transfers into diocesan high schools will be monitored for potential NIL-related inducements. If a transfer appears to be connected to NIL agreements or incentives, the school must promptly report the matter to OHSAA.

The Diocese of Columbus operates under a boundary system (see Policies 5103 and 5104), which outlines the only permissible conditions for enrollment or waiver requests. NIL activity may not be used to circumvent these boundaries.

Compliance and Penalties

Non-compliance with OHSAA bylaws or Diocesan NIL expectations will result in penalties. Families should consult OHSAA Bylaw 11 for a complete description of NIL violations and consequences. If a violation is alleged, the student-athlete may be temporarily suspended from participation while the investigation is ongoing. Schools will administer discipline fairly and consistently, with an emphasis on learning and growth.