College and high-school name, image & likeness rules for Michigan (MI) — at a glance, in plain English. Not legal advice; confirm with a compliance office before acting.
At a glance
NIL in Michigan today.
College NIL: Legal (state law). High-school NIL: Limited, per Compensation of College Athletes Act, PA 366 of 2020 (MCL 390.1731 et seq.) + MHSAA Personal Branding Activities bylaw (HS). NIL collectives: operating. Deal-disclosure threshold: $600. Governing statute: Compensation of College Athletes Act (Public Act 366 of 2020) (Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 390.1731 to 390.1741), active, effective December 2022. High-school governance: Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). Last reviewed August 2026 — this is a plain-English overview pending verification, not legal advice.
What to know
How the rules play out in Michigan.
Michigan's college NIL framework is the Compensation of College Athletes Act (PA 366 of 2020, MCL 390.1731 et seq.); it remains in force and still doesn't grant athletes rights to use a school's own trademarks, and a 2025 bill (HB 4643) that would bar schools from reporting deals to the NCAA/College Sports Commission remained stuck in committee as of our research. Since the House v. NCAA settlement took effect in mid-2025, Michigan schools can share revenue directly with athletes, and third-party deals over $600 route through the national NIL Go clearinghouse — Michigan layers no separate state-level dollar threshold on top of that. The MHSAA voted in January 2026 to let high-school athletes pursue individual 'Personal Branding Activities' (endorsements, appearances, merchandise) but explicitly excluded collectives and barred coaches/boosters/school staff from arranging deals, use of school marks/uniforms, or pay tied to athletic performance — confirm exact disclosure mechanics with MHSAA directly, as its site couldn't be independently verified this pass.
Who governs NIL in Michigan
College NIL in Michigan is protected by the Compensation of College Athletes Act, Public Act 366 of 2020, codified at MCL 390.1731 through 390.1741. Its substantive sections took effect December 31, 2022 under section 11 of the act. As of August 2026 the statute operates alongside the post-House v. NCAA settlement framework: schools may share revenue with athletes directly, and third-party NIL deals of $600 or more go through the College Sports Commission's NIL Go review. At the high-school level, the MHSAA governs NIL through its Personal Branding Activities rule.
What the Compensation of College Athletes Act actually says
The act is written as a set of prohibitions on schools and athletic associations, plus duties for athletes.
§ 390.1731(2): a postsecondary institution shall not uphold any rule, requirement, standard, or other limitation that prevents a student from fully participating in intercollegiate athletics based on the student earning NIL compensation, and NIL earnings shall not affect scholarship eligibility or renewal.
§ 390.1733: institutions, athletic associations, and conferences may not themselves pay a prospective athlete NIL compensation, and may not prevent an athlete from obtaining professional representation by an agent or attorney.
§ 390.1734: a grant-in-aid or stipend scholarship may not be revoked or reduced because an athlete earns NIL compensation or obtains representation.
§ 390.1735(3): an athlete agent, financial advisor, or attorney representing an athlete must be licensed in this state, as applicable.
§ 390.1737(1): an athlete must disclose a proposed NIL opportunity or contract to a designated school official at least 7 days before committing, so the school can flag conflicts with its existing agreements.
§ 390.1737(3): a team contract may not prevent NIL compensation for a commercial purpose when the athlete is not engaged in official team activities.
High-school rules: MHSAA Personal Branding Activities
On January 27, 2026 the MHSAA Representative Council approved an expansion of Personal Branding Activities (PBA), the association's NIL rule under Regulation I, Section 11, effective immediately. The published rule allows individual deals only, with hard limits.
Permitted: social media endorsements, personal appearances, autograph signings, camps and lessons, modeling, and merchandise or sports-card sales.
Deals may not use school, conference, or MHSAA names, logos, mascots, trademarks, uniforms, or facilities.
Compensation may not be contingent on athletic performance, awards, team membership, or competition outcomes, and may not be used as an inducement to enroll, stay, or transfer.
No collectives: deals connected directly or indirectly to an associated entity or individual, such as boosters, donors, coaches, or school employees, are barred, and schools may not solicit, arrange, or negotiate deals.
Athletes must disclose each agreement to the MHSAA within 7 business days of finalizing; there is no cap on earnings at fair market value.
Prohibited categories include gaming and gambling, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, banned substances, weapons, and sexually explicit content.
The practical read
As of August 2026, a Michigan college athlete can sign endorsement, appearance, and social media deals, hire a Michigan-licensed agent or attorney, and keep their scholarship, but must give their school at least 7 days advance notice, avoid conflicts with team sponsors, and clear deals of $600 or more through NIL Go. A Michigan high schooler can earn from personal branding, but only independently of their school: no school marks, no booster or collective involvement, and prompt disclosure to the MHSAA.
What's moving
The House v. NCAA settlement, approved in June 2025, layered direct school-to-athlete revenue sharing (roughly $20.5 million per school in year one) and NIL Go review on top of Michigan's statute, which has not been amended since enactment. A 2023 proposal in the Michigan Legislature, reportedly House Bill 4816, would have extended NIL to high schoolers; it was never enacted, and the MHSAA cites that debate as a driver of its January 2026 rule change. Separately, House Bill 4643, introduced June 12, 2025 by Rep. Joe Tate, would rewrite Public Act 366 to limit NCAA interference with athletes' NIL deals; as of August 2026 it reportedly remains in the House Committee on Regulatory Reform.
Go deeper
Compare states, then run your numbers.
Compare Michigan with every other state in the NIL Rules by State tracker, estimate your take-home on NIL income with the free NIL Tax Calculator, and see what your name, image, and likeness is actually worth with HDBND's free athlete tools.
Frequently asked questions
Is college NIL legal in Michigan?
Yes — college athletes in Michigan can earn from their name, image, and likeness. Status: Legal (state law). Michigan has its own NIL statute layered on top of NCAA policy and the House settlement. Confirm the current rules with each school's compliance office.
Can high school athletes earn NIL in Michigan?
High-school NIL status in Michigan: Limited, per Compensation of College Athletes Act, PA 366 of 2020 (MCL 390.1731 et seq.) + MHSAA Personal Branding Activities bylaw (HS). It's permitted only under notable conditions — verify before relying on it. This is a general overview, not legal advice.
Do athletes have to disclose NIL deals in Michigan?
The working disclosure threshold here is "$600." Under the House settlement, third-party deals at or above $600 at participating schools go to the NIL Go clearinghouse for review; some schools ask for every deal. Confirm your school's exact process.
Can a booster, donor, or collective set up an NIL deal for a Michigan high schooler?
No. The MHSAA's published rule bars personal branding deals connected directly or indirectly to an associated entity or individual, including boosters, donors, coaches, and school employees, and schools may not solicit, arrange, or negotiate deals. A violation can cost the athlete eligibility and put the school's MHSAA membership at risk. Check the current MHSAA PBA materials or contact the association before relying on this.
How much notice do Michigan college athletes owe their school before signing a deal?
Under MCL 390.1737, athletes must disclose a proposed NIL opportunity or contract to a designated school official at least 7 days before committing, and revise it if the school identifies a conflict with its existing agreements. That state deadline is separate from NIL Go reporting for deals of $600 or more. Confirm the exact process with your school's compliance office before signing.
Does an agent or advisor for a Michigan athlete need a Michigan license?
Michigan's statute says professional representation by an athlete agent, financial advisor, or attorney must be provided by persons licensed in this state, as applicable, under MCL 390.1735. The MHSAA similarly permits high schoolers to use a licensed agent or attorney only if that person is not associated with the school. Verify licensing requirements with the state and your compliance contacts before engaging a representative.