Should high school athletes be paid for use of their name, image or likeness?

• Scott LaMar/WITF
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  Scott LaMar was formerly the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 C-NET Centre County

A screenshot of the coverage from last Friday's football game between State College Area High School and Cumberland Valley High School.

Airdate: Monday, July 18, 2022

College athletes — especially college football players — have been the main focus in the conversation about NIL — being compensated for the use of their name, image or likeness. Bryce Young, the first-year quarterback at the University of Alabama had $1 million lined up in NIL money before he even played a game last year. Another freshman — quarterback Jaden Rashada — has reportedly signed a NIL deal worth $9.5 million before he has played a snap at the University of Miami.

Obviously the money won’t be the same, but high school athletes in Pennsylvania may be able to profit from the use of the name, image and likeness.

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, that governs high school sports, is working on a policy for NIL and young athletes.

The P.I.A.A.’s Associate Executive Director Melissa Mertz is on Monday’s Smart Talk with details.