Mississippi House passes bill making student-athlete NIL earnings tax exempt
By Ethan Stone
Published:
A bill passed in the Mississippi House that would exclude student athletes in Mississippi from having to pay income tax on NIL earnings. NIL deals ranging in the millions could be tax exempt as early as next year in the Magnolia State.
According to a report from Clarion Ledger, state representative Trey Lamar insisted the bill’s passing would make Mississippi a more attractive destination for top athletes under the bill, evening the playing field against southern states with no income tax such as Tennessee, Florida and Texas. Arkansas passed a similar bill in 2025, too.
“NIL is taking the country and coming by storm,” Lamar said, via Clarion Ledger. “Other states are doing it, and I believe it’s time that Mississippi starts doing this as well.”
Ole Miss football is in significantly better position compared to Mississippi State heading into the long offseason and new season in September. The Rebels are set to return Trinidad Chambliss (who is set to make $5 million in NIL deals next season, by the way) and should still be ranked in the top 25 to start the year under Pete Golding.
However, with Lane Kiffin now out of Oxford, both schools are likely to struggle in the recruiting space as they have thus far in the NIL era. While this new bill could change that and add some advantages for both State and Ole Miss, it’s an understatement to say that it will be a controversial topic among the general population of Mississippians.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
