A Franklin County judge has temporarily blocked the OHSAA from enforcing its ban on Name, Image and Likeness deals following a lawsuit involving the OHSAA and the family of an Ohio State football commit.

The lawsuit, filed on Oct. 15, argues that the OHSAA’s current ban on NIL unfairly prevents student-athletes from earning money, and puts Ohio behind most of the country.

“The court does find that granting this will allow for expanded opportunities for high school students and youth across the state of Ohio, and there are benefits in that,” Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Jaiza Page said. “Additionally, allowing this temporary restraining order will align this state’s policies with a majority of the other states across the country.”

Ohio is one of six states that prohibits high school athletes from inking NIL deals.

In 2022, OHSAA member schools voted down the OHSAA’s first NIL proposal by more than a two-to-one margin (538 to 254). The annual referendum voting period is May 1 through May 15.

The association had planned a vote in May to change the rules, but that timeline will be pushed up due to the pending court action.

OHSAA Spokesperson Tim Stried said that more information will be shared Oct. 21 with member schools and the public.

“The OHSAA anticipated the judge making an initial ruling today on the NIL lawsuit to set the timeline moving forward. The OHSAA is finalizing communications regarding the next steps for our member schools and will send out details on Tuesday,” Stried said in a prepared statement.

The temporary halt on the OHSAA’s ban will last until a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for Dec. 15.