FLN: we noticed this on Twitter and got in touch with the author, who is allowing us to print the entire article, which originally was reported by Action News Jax (Jacksonville). The link to the article is HERE.

Frankly, I had not thought about whether a Florida high school player would have been involved in the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) approach, but obviously there are opportunities out there. I’ve sent off a message to the FHSAA for clarification on certain questions I have about all this. Readers remember that Rachel Zeitz founded Gladiator while still in high school, and now I have to also ask FHSAA if that was entirely legal too (not that it matters at this point, but still an interesting question).

This article was written by Dan Canova, and he is a Cofounder and Managing Editor of The NIL Deal. Story tips can be sent to dan@nildealnow.com and on Twitter @DanCanova

Ryann Frechette, a star lacrosse player at Bartram Trail High School in St. Johns, Florida, was offered a NIL deal from a popular lacrosse brand, but the Florida High School Athletic Association turned down the opportunity. 

Back in August, Frechette was offered a deal with STX, which is a sporting goods leader in lacrosse and field hockey, but she couldn’t accept the offer because of the FHSAA’s policy that doesn’t allow amateur athletes to accept name, image and likeness deals in the state.

RELATED: How Florida NIL bills will impact state’s athletic landscape

Frechette, who is committed to play lacrosse at the University of Florida, was expected to make close to $5,000, which included equipment from STX as well.

Frechette said her goal with the NIL deal was to help improve the sport of lacrosse.

“I just think for me, it was more about growing the game and making a difference,” Frechette told Action News Jax. “It does just make me more excited for my future. So, I’m just for everything else that happens along with it.”

Burt Frechette, Ryann’s father, says he understands why they denied it, but added “they can’t really make an exception for one and not have the floodgates for another.”

“My whole purpose of appealing it through the FHSAA was to just really go all the way through. It was something that we believed in,” Frechette told Action News Jax.

According to Burt Frechette, they sent a letter to the FHSAA for appeal on three separate occasions, but the FHSAA denied it each time.

RELATED: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs NIL bill allowing schools to help athletes facilitate deals

Frechette told Action News Jax that the situation is bigger than just his daughter.

“I just wish they would look at it holistically for all athletes and not just what everyone kind of understands NIL to be,” Frechette told the media outlet.

Action News Jax reported that it reached out to the FHSAA for comment on the matter, but didn’t hear back at the time of publication.