Last week, The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) managed to be an institution that had their priorities straight. Which is no small feat in America these days.

The OHSAA rejected a proposal that would’ve allowed name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation for Ohio’s high school athletes. The proposal to allow NIL compensation was rejected 538-254. Had it been approved; Ohio would’ve joined with nine other states. That already allow NIL compensation deals for high school athletes. Those states are Alaska, California, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York and Utah.

While allowing college athletes to receive name, image and likeness compensation is long overdue. Allowing these NIL compensation deals at the high school level is a riskier move. The idea presents several concerns worth addressing. These concerns center around ethical dilemmas on various fronts. Competitive balance between schools is one of those concerns.

NIL compensation is something that can benefit athletes at big and small colleges. Though top tier programs won’t have their status compromised by NIL compensation. Allowing NIL compensation at Ohio high schools risks deepening disparities between schools. Compared to well-resourced public or private schools. With well-connected boosters that might provide NIL deals as an informal recruiting tool. How will an already cash strapped public or private high school compete in a landscape where NIL compensation is allowed?

The funding model for colleges differs in a significant way compared to high schools. Public and private colleges charge tuition, going above $30,000 a year at some institutions. Public grade and high schools are funded largely through a town or district’s property taxes. Presenting the kind of economic disparities seen between schools in predominately low- or high-income areas. NIL compensation will do nothing to close those disparities. Instead, it risks transferring those disparities onto the field and court. The haves will have plenty while the have nots still have not.

The age of the athletes is another major concern here. Nearly all college students are 18 years old or older. They’re old enough to serve in the military, vote and in most states legally smoke. Plus, as this month’s massacres in Texas and New York horrifically showcased. In some states, they can legally buy firearms. Most high school students on the other hand are minors. Many aren’t old enough to drive and are just starting to enter the work force.

With this in mind, it’s important to have safeguards to prevent athletes from being taken advantage of. Either by high schools, colleges, businesses, their family and friends. The OHSAA’s NIL proposal presented a few safeguards. It would’ve barred athletes from using their school’s or OHSAA apparel in advertising. Deals couldn’t be arranged on school grounds or in uniform. Athletes also can’t endorse casinos, other gambling venues, alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

If state high school athletic associations are going to allow athletes to pursue NIL endorsement deals. Those associations and member schools owe it to athletes pursuing these deals. By coaching athletes on how to be wise with their money. Or at least guiding them to financial education resources. To help them avoid being exploited and overwhelmed. While not interfering with athlete’s abilities to pursue endorsement deals. Instead of taking a hands-off approach, the OHSAA and peer associations could utilize this as a financial education lesson.

Hopefully, the OHSAA and their peers in other states will take the time to thoroughly deliberate over this issue. The dynamics are much different compared to the push for NIL compensation for college athletes. Some states and even college coaches pushed for NIL for self-serving reasons. In an effort to protect their schools from potentially losing an edge in recruiting. To schools in states allowing NIL compensation for college athletes. Debates about paying college athletes have popped up several times over several decades. Plus, NCAA Division I football and basketball operates often like major leagues anyway.

There are no massive calls for high school athletes to be compensated. High School students themselves have more important concerns than merely making a buck. Along with trying to learn, they’re protesting against gun violence, racism, climate change among other important issues. Transgender high school students are advocating to play sports and live. While several state governments, including this week Indiana’s, work with haste to ban transgender girls from participating in high school girls’ sports. If only legislators can act so rigorously to address “bread and butter” issues.

While legislators have gone over the heads of some sports organizations. Which already have their own rules to address transgender people’s participation in sports. Crafted with the goal of setting guidelines to allow participation and maintain a competitive balance. Hopefully, the OHSAA and their peer organizations in other states can continue debating NIL compensation responsibly. Instead of politicians forcing a decision on them based on their personal agendas.