Tennessee QB commit sues over HS NIL, ‘harmed’ by $1M losses
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (BVM) – Tennessee Volunteers quarterback commit Faizon Brandon is suing the North Carolina State Board of Education because it banned its public high school athletes from making NIL money. The lawsuit was filed by Faizon’s mother, Rolanda, on his behalf.
The lawsuit (shown here) was electronically submitted on August 23. It states that the high schooler has missed out on a staggering $1 million in NIL opportunities.
Per the plaintiff (Rolanda, on behalf of Faizon), the full ban on NIL “has harmed F.B. (Faizon Brandon)” by “jeopardizing his ability to capitalize on life-changing opportunities currently available to him and provide himself and his family with financial security.” It further states that “the cumulative financial impact to (Faizon) and his family from the Board’s NIL prohibition is over one million dollars.”
According to the lawsuit, Faizon has been “presented with a life-changing NIL opportunity he cannot sign.” In April, a national trading card company approached Faizon for an NIL deal. The offer involved Faizon signing memorabilia for a “substantial sum of money.” Nonetheless, he had to turn it down.
Faizon is set to graduate in Grimsley High School’s Class of 2026, which means he can’t make NIL money for the next two years – while others can. A total of 39 states currently allow high school athletes to participate in NIL deals, per On3.
The Brandon family isn’t seeking monetary compensation; they simply want the court to throw out the NIL ban.
One main argument supporting their case is that the State Board of Education created the NIL ban without careful consideration and reasoning – making it seem unjustified.
“The State Board of Education’s decision to altogether prohibit NIL activities for public high school students is not based on reasoned judgment or consideration of all pertinent facts, issues, and information, nor has the State Board of Education articulated a legitimate, reasoned justification for its prohibition, and thus the NIL Prohibition is arbitrary and capricious,” per the lawsuit.
Overall, while some may view this as a greedy move, the reality is that North Carolina high school athletes simply want equal opportunities to the life-changing money that their peers across the country already have.
