RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Public school athletes across North Carolina will soon be able to earn money off their name, image and likeness, according to a ruling from a judge on Tuesday.
This decision from Wake County Superior Court Judge Graham Shirley reverses course on a state board policy that blocked high school athletes from making a profit off NIL deals.
Public high school athletes can be paid to play after Shirley granted a preliminary injunction. The lawsuit is not over at this time, according to lawyer Mike Ingersoll.
“He ruled from the bench and ordered that the current temporary rule, which is … a prohibition, be enjoined … Its place, he will put in the permanent rule which is what the state proposed for next school year,” Ingersoll said.
Ingersoll said it allows public school students to have the same NIL opportunities now that private school students in North Carolina have had for several months.
Tuesday’s ruling concerned a lawsuit filed by the family of Grimsley High School quarterback Faizon Brandon , who’s viewed as the No. 1 ranked prospect in the country for the 2026 class. He’s verbally committed to play college football at Tennessee.