Franklin County lawsuit targets OHSAA over NIL issues, explained

Ohio State commit Jamier Brown (L) is the centerpiece behind a lawsuit filed against the OHSAA in Franklin County Courts. (Photo: AOL.com) 

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A complaint was filed in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in Columbus against the Ohio High School Athletic Association, seeking to allow wide receiver Jamier Brown from Wayne High School in Dayton to benefit from name, image, and likeness. 

NIL stands for "name, image, and likeness." It refers to a person's legal right to control how their image is used, including for commercial purposes. In Ohio, it is prohibited under the OHSAA to allow student-athletes to profit from their NIL. 

According to the complaint, Brown has an earning power of more than $100,000 per year, and the complaint was filed by his mother, Jasmine Brown, in her role of "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 OHSAA also released a press release and told ESPN, "We've been anticipating something like this would happen, " Stried told ESPN. "Typically, when this type of legal action happens, it triggers an emergency vote by our schools. Later today or tomorrow, we'll determine if we'll do an emergency vote and what the timeframe of the vote will be." 

The OHSAA press release can be found here.

Brown is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound wide receiver who has committed to Ohio State since November 2024. He is ESPN's No. 2-ranked prospect in the class of 2027, who was recruited by Stark County's Brian Hartline. 

"It's about creating fairness and giving us the chance to use our name, image, and likeness in positive ways while staying focused on school," Brown told ESPN. "If this helps make things a little easier for the next group coming up, then it's worth it." 

The complaint also states that the OHSAA rules are "outdated and unlawful," as neighboring states such as West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania allow student-athletes to benefit from NILs. 

Currently, the public will await the Ohio High School Athletic Association's next steps regarding the continuation of litigation.