The family of Faizon Brandon, a standout quarterback at Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, has taken legal action against the state regarding the restrictions on name, image and likeness (NIL) access for public school athletes. Brandon, who is committed to the University of Tennessee, is at the center of a lawsuit filed by his mother, Rolanda Brandon, in Wake County Superior Court.
Legal claims against the State Board of Education
Rolanda Brandon’s lawsuit asserts that the North Carolina State Board of Education has overstepped its authority by prohibiting public high school athletes from profiting from NIL deals. Attorney Mike Ingersoll, representing the Brandon family, stated that the State Board of Education was not given the power to ban public high school athletes from profiting from their NIL. He emphasized the importance of correcting this perceived error to allow Faizon to benefit from the opportunities his hard work has generated.
Impact on athletes’ opportunities
The lawsuit highlights how the current ban on NIL access threatens Brandon’s ability to seize life-changing opportunities that could provide financial security for him and his family. The legal action seeks to enable North Carolina public high school athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness.
Current status of NIL regulations in North Carolina
In correspondence between Brandon’s legal team and Allison Schafer, the State Board of Education’s general counsel, it was revealed that the current ban is only applicable for the 2024-25 school year. Schafer noted that the State Board is required to undergo a lengthy legislative process to establish permanent NIL rules, which could take up to a year. The focus will be on adopting a permanent rule for the 2025-26 school year and beyond.
Comparative landscape: Public vs. private school athletes
North Carolina stands out as one of the few states that do not permit public high school athletes to engage in NIL activities, such as autograph signings and public appearances. In contrast, private school athletes in the state have already begun profiting from NIL deals. For example, David Sanders Jr., a football player at Providence Day School in Charlotte, has successfully sold merchandise and signed brand deals.
Brandon’s rising star
Faizon Brandon is currently ranked as the No. 1 player in the class of 2026 nationally, according to 247 Sports. Before committing to the University of Tennessee, he received offers from prestigious programs, including the University of Alabama, Boston College, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Duke.
This lawsuit not only seeks justice for Faizon Brandon but also aims to pave the way for future public high school athletes in North Carolina to benefit from their hard work and dedication.
