GHSA passes NIL bylaw, creates private-school playoff for 3A-A

The GHSA’s executive committee on Monday approved NIL deals for high school athletes and a plan that will have private schools in classes 3A, 2A and A competing in private-only state playoffs beginning in 2024-25. Both were expected.

The NIL plan passed 66-9

NIL deals cannot be linked to a specific achievement or performance, and athletes won’t be allowed to use their schools’ name, logos or uniforms or other intellectual property.

Schools or school representatives may not use NIL deals to entice an athlete to enroll.

The 3A/A private division plan, passed 53-18-4, would keep public and private schools together during region play in the regular season but separate them for the playoffs and seed teams bases on an undefined power rating.

The GHSA had agreed earlier this year to reduce the number of classifications to seven from eight, but the 3A/A private division will bring the number of state champions in fully classified sports back to eight.

There will be public champions in 3A, 2A, A Division I and A Division II. Larger private schools will continue to compete with public schools in 4A, 5A and 6A.

Another proposal approved Monday is one that will keep private schools out of Class A Division II, which will comprise the smallest 50 football-playing schools.

The highest class, which will be 6A, will have the largest 14% of GHSA members, which could come to more than 60. There are only 45 schools in the current 7A.