The Rules · October 16, 2026

Can a minor sign an NIL deal in Florida? Who signs, and the form due in 5 days

A real offer shows up, and the first question every parent asks is the same one: can my 16-year-old even sign this? In Florida the answer has two parts. One is the FHSAA rulebook. The other is Florida law on contracts with minors. Here are both, in plain English, straight from the rulebook and the statute.

What the FHSAA says about the contract itself

It has to be in writing. Bylaw 9.10.4.1 defines an NIL agreement as "a fully executed, written contract." A handshake deal does not count.
It ends at graduation. The same bylaw says an NIL agreement "shall not extend beyond a student-athlete's high school graduation date." Read the end date before you read anything else.
You are in it too. By signing, the athlete and the parents release the school, the district and the FHSAA from liability, and agree to hold them harmless (Bylaws 9.10.4.1.1 and 9.10.4.1.2).
Transferring? A student who transfers after starting a sport cannot sign an NIL agreement that season unless one of the exceptions in Bylaw 9.3.2.2 applies (Bylaw 9.10.4.7).

The deadline almost nobody mentions: 5 business days

Bylaw 9.10.5 says a student who does any NIL activity must sign an "Affidavit of Compliance with the Regulations on Amateurism and Interscholastic Athletic Eligibility." The student and parent must fill it out, get every signature, and turn it in to the school "within five (5) business days of signing" the NIL agreement.

Sign on a Friday, and the school needs that form by the next Friday. The FHSAA's NIL page links its GA1 Affidavit of Amateurism. Ask your athletic director which form your school wants, before you sign, so the clock never surprises you.

Florida law: can a minor back out of the deal later?

Florida has a law written for exactly this. Section 743.08 covers any contract where a minor "will endorse a product or service, or in any other way receive compensation for the use of" their right of publicity. That is NIL. It also covers a contract to pay a coach, manager or agent who represents the minor.

Under that law, a Florida circuit court can approve the contract. Once a court approves it, the minor "may not, either during his or her minority or upon reaching his or her majority, disaffirm the contract." In plain words: a court-approved deal cannot be undone later just because the athlete was under 18 when they signed it. Read the other way, a deal without court approval does not come with that protection.

What court approval involves:

A sworn petition, filed by a parent, the minor, anyone signing the contract, or another interested person, with the full contract attached (Section 743.09).
Formal notice at least 30 days before the hearing, and the minor usually comes to court in person (Section 743.09).
No approved contract can run more than 3 years from the day it is approved (Section 743.08).
A guardian ad litem, a person the court appoints to look out for the child, has to sign off. The court must appoint one whenever a parent will be paid from the contract (Sections 743.08 and 743.09).
The court can order part of the child's net earnings set aside and saved for them until they become an adult, up to two-thirds if the child has no dependents (Section 743.095).
Money earned under an approved contract becomes the child's property (Section 743.08).

Is it required? No. The law says a contract "may be approved." Whether a deal is worth a court filing is a question for a Florida Bar attorney. If a large or multi-year offer lands on your kitchen table, ask about it by name: Florida Statute 743.08.

The Florida parent's 4-step version

Get it in writing, with an end date on or before graduation day.
Read every word with your athlete. You are part of the liability release.
Turn in the affidavit to the school within 5 business days of signing.
Big or long deal? Ask a Florida Bar attorney about court approval under Section 743.08.

New to the rules? Florida's NIL rules explained → · Print the free NIL Starter Kit →

Sources

NIL for Kids is an independent educational resource by Teddy Dupay (FHSAA Hall of Famer). Not affiliated with the FHSAA or any school, and not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your school and a Florida Bar attorney before signing anything. Last reviewed October 16, 2026.