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A judge has ruled in favor of an Ohio high school athlete looking to profit from NIL. Details of Lawsuit As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the mother of Jamier Brown, a top-ranked wide receiver in the U.S. attending Wayne High School near Dayton, OH, filed a lawsuit against the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), as it does not permit student athletes to earn revenue from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). For Brown, this means missing out on possible deals worth more than $100,000. The lawsuit, filed in Franklin County, described OHSAA rulings around NIL as “outdated and unlawful” and that “OHSAA’s blanket ban not only singles out Ohio’s high school student athletes for unequal treatment, but it is also unlawfully suppresses their economic liberties, freedom of expression, and restrains competition in the NIL marketplace.” Brown, who intends to play football for Ohio State University, said, “I’m being raised by an amazing single mom who’s always doing her best to...
High school football star Jamier Brown could reportedly rake in more than $100,000 if he were eligible to profit from NIL, ESPN reports. America’s top wide receiver in the class of 2027 cannot earn revenue from his name, image, and likeness (NIL) because the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) does not permit it. Some other states, including North Carolina, have begun to allow high schoolers to profit from NIL. States like Texas have approved bills allowing athletes 17 and up to enter NIL deals but with restrictions, Sports Illustrated reports. Students in Texas will not be able to receive money from NIL until they have enrolled in their named college and are participating in its athletic program. In an effort to encourage Ohio to join these other states, Brown’s mother, Jasmine, filed a lawsuit in Franklin County, believing the OHSAA’s stance on NIL is “outdated and unlawful,” per ESPN. The lawsuit claims that “OHSAA’s blanket ban not only singles out Ohio’s high school...
A new platform has hit the market to ensure athletes can maximize their potential in the NIL landscape. According to the Business of College Sports, Morgan State University alum Peter Iwuh made history in 2023 when he launched the first Black-owned NIL marketing agency, Tykoon Sports Agency. The agency secured over 200 partnerships with brands, including CVS, NBC Sports, and Ruffles, according to a press release shared with AFROTECH™. Iwuh has a deep understanding of what it takes to become a household brand, having also supported professional athletes with marketing strategy and PR — including boxers Claressa Shields and Devin Haney — and working at Fortune 500 companies such as Sony Music Entertainment, Meta, and The Walt Disney Company. These experiences have helped Iwuh understand operational practices and systems, he shared in an interview with AFROTECH™. Still, his company hit a ceiling with their work, and is now turning to AI to expand their business. Tykoon AI Iwuh’s...
Seth Trimble has made history in the business world. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) basketball player has always been interested in expanding beyond the sport, a passion that dates back to his high school years, he shared in an interview with Inside Carolina. Thanks to name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, it has become easier for athletes to turn revenue into long-term wealth-building opportunities. For Trimble, this means fulfilling his desire for ownership, which is made possible through NIL deals, including Powerade and Town & Country Farms, according to Pro Football and Sports Network (PFSN). “I’ve always had that vision, I know the ball doesn’t juggle forever,” Trimble, 21, explained in the Inside Carolina interview. “I know that me, as a human being, I’m allowed to have many interests in life. Basketball is a thing that I crave the most. Its what I love to do, but you know, there’s things I also want to explore, and that’s the business world, that’s...
Shaquille O’Neal’s business portfolio inspires LSU athlete Flau’jae Johnson. O’Neal has positioned himself as the ultimate businessman. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, the former Los Angeles Lakers player with four rings and $286.3 million in career earnings was an early investor in Google “by accident.” After running into a high-profile investor at the Four Seasons, he caught wind of the tech company, which now boasts a $2.29 trillion valuation per Companies Market Cap . Convinced of its potential, O’Neal moved forward with an investment in the company and later discovered in a newspaper that he hit the jackpot. “The newspaper told me how much I made and I couldn’t believe how much I made,” he said, according to TechCrunch. O’Neal’s portfolio also includes Big Chicken, a fast-casual restaurant chain with restaurants nationwide, and Authentic Brands Group, where he is its second-largest shareholder. The brand management company profits from not only O’Neal’s name and likeness but...
Charles Barkley is not a fan of NIL’s business landscape. Barkley is a former Auburn University athlete who went on to an NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets, before retiring in 2000 after 16 seasons, notes Spotrac. He played during an era when athletes profited from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) only after going pro. He received $40.6 million in career earnings. According to Pro Football Network, through his business footprint beyond the league, which includes investments in Redmont Vodka and Round Mound Media, as well as endorsements and broadcasting contracts, his net worth today reportedly sits at $90 million. While Barkley has made his big bucks post-college, this is no longer true for other college athletes. An increasing number of student-athletes are becoming millionaires after governance bodies across all three NCAA divisions lifted restrictions on NIL compensation, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. In July, colleges also...
Former college athlete Santia Deck has created a platform she wishes were available while in high school. Deck has launched an all-in-one recruiting and NIL application for overlooked high school athletes , according to Winning Her Way, the sports-focused media company she founded. Recalling her high school days, it was difficult to connect with track college coaches in Texas, she mentioned on the platform. Without a clear blueprint, countless hours were spent sending highlight reels to coaches, just hoping for a response. “When I was a high school athlete, I wanted it so badly. To run track at a college in Texas. To get seen. To get a shot,” she said. Now, Deck has launched Winning Your Way Recruiter. The app will make it easier for college athletes to not only connect with college coaches, but also capitalize on their names, images or likeness (NIL), something that was non-existent during her time playing college sports. The app is available for $15 per month, and high school...
As college athletes begin profiting earlier in their careers, they’re also making smarter decisions sooner. Many college athletes have been able to directly profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) after NCAA members approved an interim policy in 2021. All three NCAA divisions suspended NIL restrictions for incoming and current student-athletes, AFROTECH™ reported; this includes VJ Edgecombe, a 2025 NBA first-round draft pick, who earned $1.4 million in NIL deals thanks to partnerships with Panini America and PSD Underwear. The top college basketball earner is AJ Dybantsa, who has a $4.1 million NIL valuation while representing the Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars, AFROTECH™ previously reported. College athletes aren’t just pocketing earnings for short-term gain; they’re thinking long-term and making strategic financial moves well before going pro. Quarterbacks LaNorris Sellers (University of South Carolina) and Kevin Jennings (Southern Methodist University) recently...
VJ Edgecombe, a 2025 NBA draft pick, isn’t taking his positioning for granted. Edgecombe was drafted on Wednesday to the Philadelphia 76ers during the first round as a third overall pick, according to CBS Sports. The moment was emotional for Edgecombe as he reflected on his upbringing. He was born and raised in Bimini, a small island in the Bahamas, according to WHYY. He told NBA reporter Taylor Rooks that his family struggled, lived without electricity for seven years, and had to rely on a generator. “See what she had to go through to feed us? It’s crazy… My mind [is] everywhere right now,” he told Rooks. Basketball is now his saving grace. Edgecombe moved to the U.S. in the ninth grade and completed his senior year of high school at Long Island Lutheran in Brookville, NY, per USA Today. In college, he played basketball at Baylor University and made a name for himself, averaging 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, Sports Spectrum reported. His talents...
Even with being selective, AJ Dybantsa is winning big in the name, image, and likeness (NIL) arena. The Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars basketball player is not only the highest-ranking high school player on the court, he is also the top earner in college basketball — and he hasn’t even officially jumpstarted his college freshman year, notes Athlon Sports. A new graduate of Utah Prep Academy, he will begin representing BYU officially for the 2025-26 college basketball season. Dybantsa has deals that include Red Bull, which is historic. According to Out2Win, it is the first time Red Bull has signed a male basketball athlete to an NIL deal. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AJ Dybantsa (@aj.dybantsa) “I think it was a great partnership because it’ll be beneficial for the both of us with the platform that they have,” Dybantsa said on “The Youngins Sports Podcast.” “I think we fit right in with each other, so it’s going to be good. It’s going to be special.” He later...
Flau’jae Johnson is more than a standout guard for the LSU Tigers women’s basketball team — she’s a rapper and a rising icon, blending her passions into a force to reckon with on and off the court. In an interview with AFROTECH™, Johnson, 21, opened up about her evolution as a brand, sharing what it means to have a strong presence in the name, image, and likeness (NIL) space and her pursuit of generational wealth . Johnson has partnered with Samsung as the newest face of #TeamGalaxy. She joins a movement that’s all about pushing boundaries amid a surge in popularity in women’s sports — leveraging cutting-edge tech to elevate her game and connect with fans on a deeper level. “I feel like the way that the partnership happened was like very organic,” Johnson told AFROTECH™. “And me telling my story about not letting boundaries hold me back. And I feel like Samsung is like embracing excellence and inspiring creativity, which is all I’m about.” Johnson’s partnership with Samsung is a...
Anthony Davis has mixed feelings about NIL deals. What Is NIL? In June 2021, NCAA college athletes were given the opportunity to benefit financially from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This change came after governance bodies across all three NCAA divisions suspended NIL restrictions for current and incoming student-athletes in all sports, according to the NCAA. However, it was clarified that despite the changes to the NIL landscape, “pay-for-play” arrangements and improper inducements would still not be permitted. “This is an important day for college athletes since they all are now able to take advantage of name, image and likeness opportunities,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said at the time, per the NCAA. “With the variety of state laws adopted across the country, we will continue to work with Congress to develop a solution that will provide clarity on a national level. The current environment — both legal and legislative — prevents us from providing a...
Flau’jae Johnson is making a difference off the court by helping wipe out $5 million of debt for 5,000 Louisiana families. On March 14, 2025, global data and technology company Experian announced that the Louisiana State University women’s basketball guard would serve as spokesperson for its initiative to help relieve impoverished families following reports of record-high consumer debt. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Louisiana has one of the highest poverty percentages in the country. Johnson will promote financial literacy and share her experiences managing finances as one of the leading college athletes with a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal , per a news release. “You know what’s bigger than basketball? Financial empowerment,” Johnson said in an Experian commercial. “Finances are tough, and Experian is helping the next generation pursue their dreams. … Money isn’t everything, but you need it to live a good life. The Experian app can help you save time and money, build...
JuJu Watkins has secured a groundbreaking NIL deal. The USC Trojans basketball athlete currently boasts a $739,000 name, image, and likeness (NIL) valuation , thanks to deals with Ritz Crackers, Degree, United Airlines, and NYX Cosmetics. “We are beyond excited to welcome JuJu to the NYX Professional Makeup family,” said Yasmin Dastmalchi, general manager of NYX Professional Makeup, in a news release. “JuJu’s spirit, talent, and commitment to excellence make her a perfect pick for our brand. We can’t wait to support her as she uses her voice to further inspire our community and share our core values.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Juju Watkins (@jujubballin) Watkins is already making groundbreaking moves as a collegiate athlete. As AFROTECH ™ previously told you, she extended a multi-year contract with Nike, becoming “one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball.” More recently, she expanded her portfolio by adding Fanatics and Fanatics...
Kiyan Anthony does not see more than half of his NIL earnings for good reason. According to Sports Illustrated, the basketball player, son of former NBA star Carmelo Anthony , is ranked among the top prospects in the 2025 class. He is currently a four-star recruit and the highest-ranked high school player in New York, playing for Long Island Lutheran High School in Glen Head, NY. As he prepared for the collegiate level, he gained interest from the University of Southern California, Auburn University, and Florida State University. Ultimately, he committed to Syracuse University in New York. “Just looking at Syracuse and seeing, like, what could be done over there if I was to go over there,” Kiyan shared in a statement on the school’s website. “They already have top people coming in, who I’m close with. Young coaching staff that I can connect to. Close to home, 45-minute flight. They would have me catching 6-hour flights to California. Just all of that, and then the ACC (Atlantic...
