Please sign this petition to support equal opportunities for ALL North Carolina High School Athletes, whether they attend Public School OR Private School! 

Currently, high school athletes that attend North Carolina PRIVATE schools CAN benefit financially from the use of their NIL (“name, image, and likeness”), while high school athletes that attend North Carolina PUBLIC schools CANNOT. This unjust rule should be changed IMMEDIATELY, as it creates an unequal playing field and limits the financial opportunities of talented young high school athletes in the North Carolina public school system.

While this has been an unfair and controversial rule since its inception, a recent National announcement involving a NC public school athlete has brought to light a potentially extreme—and perfect—example of why legislation needs to change on this matter IMMEDIATELY. 247 Sports, an industry-leading recruiting ranking service, recently ranked a NC public school student as the #1 QB and #1 overall player in the Class of 2026. 

$1 million+ in NIL deals have reportedly already been signed by the #1 QB's in both the Class of 2025 AND 2027, making it logical to assume that the Class of 2026's #1 QB would have NIL deals for similarly life-changing money IF he currently attended a private school in NC.

Should this NC public school athlete be forced to move to a private school so that he can receive these financial opportunities? While this issue is much larger than one particular HS athlete, he and his current situation are a microcosm of the unjust legislature that exists today. If this high school athlete were to switch to a private school, not only would he be leaving all of his childhood friends, teammates, and coaches, but he would likely be forcing his family to move a significant distance away from their hometown.

Whether or not you agree that high school athletes should be able to partake in NIL deals, that is NOT what THIS PETITION for change is about. Most states across the US have already passed legislation to allow high school athletes to benefit financially from NIL deals, so with North Carolina private schools athletes being allowed to do NIL deals, why should the state's public school students not be allowed to?

Is any of the above fair or make any sense? NO. But, can YOU help spark change in the current legislature by signing this petition? MAYBE!

Please sign this petition and help spread the word by sending the link to your friends, family, and others in your community! With your help, the North Carolina legislature can be made aware that the taxpaying citizens of North Carolina (and people who may live in other states but believe in what’s fair!) support equal opportunities for ALL North Carolina high school athletes and their right to engage in NIL deals; whether they happen to attend a public school or a private school!