Louisiana Advances NIL Protections for High School and College Athletes

New bill would require agent registration and oversight to prevent student exploitation

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:04am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a high school football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of maroon, green, and gold, conveying the complex and evolving landscape of name, image and likeness contracts in prep sports.A cubist interpretation of the growing influence of NIL deals in high school sports, where some student-athletes are reportedly earning more than their coaches.Baton Rouge Today

The Louisiana Senate Commerce Committee has advanced a bill that would extend protections for high school and college student-athletes engaging in Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) contracts. The legislation would require agents representing student-athletes to register with the state, complete training, and pass background checks. This is aimed at curbing exploitation of young athletes by unqualified 'rogue agents'.

Why it matters

NIL deals have expanded beyond just college athletes, with some high school students reportedly making more money during the football season than their head coaches. This new bill seeks to provide regulatory oversight and prevent student-athletes, some as young as 8th grade, from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous agents.

The details

Senate Bill 389, authored by Sen. Patrick Connick, would require agents who represent student-athletes across Louisiana to register with the state's Department of Justice public protection division. Agents would need to complete training and pass background checks. The bill also allows the state to deny renewals or revoke an agent's registration certificate if they have engaged in fraud or caused harm to student-athletes or their schools.

  • The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the bill on Tuesday, April 12, 2026.
  • The legislation now heads to the full state Senate for consideration.

The players

J.T. Curtis

Head football coach of John Curtis Christian School in River Ridge, Louisiana, and the coach with the most career victories by a prep football coach in the U.S.

Sen. Patrick Connick

The Republican state senator from Marrero who authored Senate Bill 389.

Olivia Nuss

Former NIL lawyer and current assistant to the Louisiana attorney general, who advocated for the legislation.

Sen. Stewart Cathey

The Republican state senator from Monroe who told the committee that many high school students are already receiving NIL deals.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'They're being directed; they're being lied to. They've been told the grandeur of what is available without any expertise and understanding of law, with understanding contracts, with no limitation on the amount of compensation.'”

— J.T. Curtis, Head football coach

“'The biggest risk to athletes was loss of eligibility. Now, the biggest risk to athletes is agents who are unprepared or may be negotiating without the proper knowledge or expertise or registration requirements.'”

— Olivia Nuss, Former NIL lawyer and current assistant to the Louisiana attorney general

“'I know of kids in north Louisiana, where I'm from, who are making more during football season than their head coach will make the entire year.'”

— Sen. Stewart Cathey

What’s next

The bill now heads to the full Louisiana state Senate for consideration and a vote.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to protect high school and college student-athletes in Louisiana from exploitation by unqualified agents seeking to profit off of their name, image and likeness. By requiring agent registration and oversight, the state hopes to curb the growing problem of young athletes being taken advantage of in the expanding NIL marketplace.