Princeton City Schools told student-athletes and their families Aug. 17, that any Name, Image and Likeness deal they sign is entirely on them. No school money, no coach involvement, no district logos.

The formal NIL policy statement, posted across all district pages serving Evendale, Woodlawn, Sharonville and Springdale, is the first written NIL position issued under Superintendent Dr. Mari Phillips since Ohio legalized the practice for high school athletes in November 2025.

The bottom line for a Princeton High School athlete approached by a sponsor: the district will not help arrange, fund or guarantee any deal. The student, their parent or guardian, and the outside company negotiate alone.

What's prohibited

The policy names specific restrictions:

• No taxpayer funds, school funds, athletic department funds or booster donations may be used to compensate athletes for NIL activities.
• Coaches, administrators, booster organizations and foundations may not provide NIL agreements to student-athletes.
• Princeton High School names, logos, mascots, trademarks and uniforms cannot appear in paid NIL promotions in ways that violate OHSAA rules.
• NIL deals cannot funnel money, merchandise or services back to Princeton High School or any Princeton athletic team.
• No NIL activity may imply that the district, school or athletics program endorses the product or business.

The policy makes clear that public funds and school donations support educational and athletic programs, not private NIL compensation for individual student-athletes.

OHSAA compliance

Ohio became the 45th state to allow high school NIL after OHSAA member schools voted 447-121 in November 2025 to approve an emergency referendum. A student-athlete lawsuit challenging the prior ban prompted the vote.

Under OHSAA rules, student-athletes must disclose any NIL agreement within 14 days of signing. Failure to report can result in ineligibility.

As of March 2026, 32 Ohio student-athletes had entered NIL agreements statewide, according to the Ohio School Boards Association. No updated figure is available.

What families should know

Princeton's policy places full responsibility for compliance on the student-athlete and their family. If a deal goes sideways or a reporting deadline is missed, the district is not involved.

Athletic Director Joe Roberts' office is the contact point for questions about OHSAA NIL regulations. Families can reach the Princeton Athletic Office at (513) 864-1580.