Lawsuit seeks to allow top high school WR to profit from NIL - ESPN

Jamier Brown, the country's top wide receiver in the class of 2027, is the centerpiece of a lawsuit filed in state court in Ohio that seeks to allow him to benefit from his name, image and likeness while in high school.

The complaint names the Ohio High School Athletic Association, which prohibits its athletes from profiting off their NIL. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in the court of common pleas in Franklin County.

Brown, who is committed to play at Ohio State, has earning power of more than $100,000 per year, according to the complaint. The lawsuit was filed by Brown's mother, Jasmine, in her role as the «parent or guardian» of Brown.

«OHSAA's blanket ban not only singles out Ohio's high school student athletes for unequal treatment, but it also unlawfully suppresses their economic liberties, freedom of expression, and restrains competition in the NIL marketplace,» the complaint states.

The lawsuit doesn't offer a specific amount above $100,000 that Brown could make if he could profit off his NIL. But it does mention trading card deals as an example of a monetary stream available to Brown as well as «significant non-monetary benefits» that include enhanced reputation and networking connections.

«What pushed me was knowing that allowing NIL for high school athletes in Ohio could be a game changer for a lot of kids like me,» Brown told ESPN. «My family is getting by, but being able to use NIL would take some weight off my mom and me by helping cover things like tutoring, training and travel, which help me grow as both a student and a football player.»

Brown is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound wide receiver who has been committed to Ohio State since November 2024. He plays at Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio. He is