A salary cap in high school football? That is what some New Jersey coaches are discussing, according to northjersey.com’s Darren Cooper.
High school football across the country is undergoing a dramatic transformation, mirroring the semi-professional nature of college football driven by name, image, and likeness deals. At the non-public school level, and increasingly in public schools, money has become a central force, with agents increasingly representing players, promising lucrative college opportunities and NIL earnings.
In response, coaches from the North Jersey’s Big Six schools (Bergen Catholic, DePaul, Don Bosco, Paramus Catholic, St. Joseph, and St. Peter’s Prep) are exploring a “scholarship-fund limit,” akin to a salary cap, to restore competitive balance.
However, implementing such a cap is complicated. According to Cooper, each school uses different financial aid models, from merit-based scholarships to private collectives, making standardization and oversight nearly impossible. Coaches are now navigating not only athletic and interpersonal dynamics but also financial expectations and external pressures. Some fear the system is becoming unsustainable and ethically murky.
According to Cooper, the influx of money has also introduced agents into the high school scene, creating unrealistic expectations for families and players. While a few elite athletes may command massive deals, most do not. Coaches emphasize the importance of transparency, education, and preserving the purity of the sport amid these changes. As one coach put it, “Stuff trickles down,” and high school football is now firmly in the NIL era.