A Dayton teen's lawsuit pushes Ohio to allow high school athletes to earn from their name, image, and likeness.

A lawsuit filed by Dayton high school football player Jamier Brown and his mother is pushing the Ohio High School Athletic Association to hold an emergency vote on allowing name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation for student-athletes. The OHSAA, one of only six states banning NIL at the high school level, faces legal pressure to act sooner than its planned May 2026 referendum. The lawsuit argues the ban denies athletes opportunities available in 44 other states and has cost Brown over $100,000 in potential earnings. The OHSAA says it’s prepared for an early vote, with the date pending a court decision.