Last updated: October 31, 2026
Minnesota NIL laws are short on statute: the state has never passed its own college NIL law, so athletes follow NCAA rules, the House settlement and their school’s policies. Lawmakers are still debating how schools pay athletes, with a 2026 bill that would bar using student fees for athlete pay. High school athletes have been able to earn from NIL under Minnesota State High School League rules since 2022. Here is what that means now.
Quick summary
- No state NIL law: Minnesota relies on NCAA rules, conference rules and school policies.
- 2026 bill: SF 3759 would ban using student fees to pay college athletes. It was referred to committee in February 2026 and has not passed.
- Revenue sharing: Big Ten schools like Minnesota can share revenue directly with athletes under the House settlement.
- High school NIL: the MSHSL adopted NIL rules in June 2022.
Does Minnesota have an NIL law?
No. Minnesota lawmakers introduced several college athlete pay bills before national NIL rules arrived in 2021, but none became law. Since July 2021, athletes at Minnesota schools have earned NIL money under NCAA rules and their schools’ policies.
The newest proposal is SF 3759, introduced by Sens. Jim Abeler and Omar Fateh on Feb. 23, 2026. It would prohibit using student fees to pay college athletes. It was sent to the Senate Higher Education Committee and has had no further action.
Minnesota NIL rules for college athletes
Revenue sharing and NIL Go
Since July 1, 2025, Division I schools in the House v. NCAA settlement can share revenue directly with athletes, up to a cap that started at $20.5 million per school in 2025-26. That covers Minnesota in the Big Ten. Outside NIL deals of $600 or more are reported to NIL Go, the College Sports Commission’s clearinghouse, which checks that the pay matches the work and that the deal has a valid business purpose.
The basics
- No pay-for-play: NIL pay can’t be tied to stats, wins or playing time.
- No school-choice incentives: NIL money can’t be used to get an athlete to pick or stay at a school.
- Disclosure: athletes report deals under their school’s policy.
Where NIL happens in Minnesota
The Gophers
The University of Minnesota is the state’s biggest NIL market, with football, basketball, volleyball and men’s hockey drawing strong local followings in the Twin Cities.
A hockey state
Minnesota has more Division I hockey than almost anywhere. Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State Mankato and St. Thomas all have devoted fan bases, which makes hockey one of the few sports outside football and basketball where local NIL deals are common.
Division II and III
Schools like Minnesota State Moorhead and Southwest Minnesota State compete in the NSIC, and the state has a large Division III scene. Deals there are usually small and local, like a sponsored post or a youth clinic.
Minnesota high school NIL rules
The MSHSL Board of Directors adopted an NIL policy in June 2022, MPR News reported. The rules:
- No school uniforms or logos in endorsements or ads, and no selling or endorsing school merchandise.
- No deals tied to alcohol, tobacco, gambling, firearms and other restricted products.
- Pay can’t be tied to performance, used to get a student to change schools, or come from a school or booster club.
- NIL can’t interfere with school or team obligations. Violations can cost a student eligibility.
Taxes
NIL income is taxable, and Minnesota has a state income tax on top of federal tax. That’s a real difference from neighboring South Dakota, which has no income tax, so Minnesota athletes should keep good records and set money aside.
Make your pick
Follow College Athletes on RallyFuel
Browse college athletes from the Twin Cities to Duluth on RallyFuel and make your picks on RallyFuel predictions. For neighboring states, see our Wisconsin NIL laws and South Dakota NIL laws guides.
FAQ
Does Minnesota have an NIL law?
No. Minnesota has no state college NIL statute. Athletes follow NCAA rules, conference rules, school policies and the House settlement.
Can the University of Minnesota pay its athletes?
Yes. As a Big Ten school in the House settlement, Minnesota can share revenue directly with athletes up to the annual cap.
Can Minnesota high school athletes do NIL deals?
Yes. The MSHSL has allowed high school NIL since June 2022. Students can’t use school logos or uniforms, and pay can’t be tied to performance.
What is SF 3759?
SF 3759 is a 2026 Minnesota Senate bill that would prohibit using student fees to pay college athletes. It is in committee and has not passed.
