California High School NIL Checklist

Governing body: California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) · Effective 2021 (CIF Bylaw 212)

Last reviewed July 1, 2026 · Printed July 18, 2026

Key rules — California

• •No school uniform, mascot, insignia, or affiliation
• •Schools/boosters/coaches can’t facilitate deals (illegal inducement)
• •Schools may restrict vice categories (alcohol, gambling, adult)
• •Athletes must report deals; some schools require pre-approval

Before you sign — anywhere

• • Disclose the deal to your school/AD within your state's window (often 3–14 days).
• • No school logos, uniforms, or facilities. No pay tied to performance.
• • NIL income is taxable self-employment income — even paid in free gear.
• • Get contracts reviewed. For small deals, a flat-fee attorney beats an agent's cut.

Sign-off checklist

• Read the state rules above with your athlete before signing anything
• Confirmed the deal has no school logos, mascots, or facility use
• Confirmed payment is not tied to performance, wins, or transferring
• Disclosed the deal to the athletic director in writing, on time
• Kept a copy of the signed contract and all deal correspondence
• Set aside 25–30% of any payment (cash or fair-market value of gear) for taxes