"Mississippi High School Student-Athlete NIL Protection Act"; enact.

HB 1400, the "Mississippi High School Student-Athlete NIL Protection Act," would allow high school athletes under 18 in Mississippi to earn money for using their name, image, or likeness (NIL), but only with parental consent. It requires all NIL contracts to be in writing and signed by both the student and a parent or guardian, and limits direct payments to $10,000 annually; amounts exceeding this would go into a restricted trust account until the student graduates or turns 18. The bill prohibits schools, coaches, or staff from arranging or profiting from NIL deals and ensures NIL activities don’t affect athletic eligibility. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.