GREENSBORO, N.C. (WTVD) – The mother of a celebrated high school football player who has committed to play college in Tennessee is suing the state of North Carolina because it prohibits public school athletes from capitalizing on their athletic fame.
Rolanda Brandon filed the lawsuit last week in Wake County Superior Court. Her son is Greensboro Grimsley quarterback Faizon Brandon, who is the nation's top-ranked recruit for the class of 2026 according to 247Sports, while ranking No. 5 at On3.com and No. 6 at Rivals.
The lawsuit names the state Department of Education and its Department of Public Instruction as defendants, both of which had complied with a policy passed in June that prohibits public school athletes from earning money through the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL).
“The State Board of Education was asked to issue rules allowing public high school athletes to use their NIL – it did not have the authority to prohibit it,” Charlotte-based attorney Mike Ingersoll said in a statement to The Charlotte Observer. “We look forward to correcting the State Board's error and helping our client benefit from the incredible value and opportunities his hard work and dedication to his name, image and likeness has created.”
The lawsuit allegedly states that “a well-known national trading card company” has agreed to finance Faizon's signing of memorabilia before he graduates, providing the family with “financial security for years to come.”
North Carolina is among the minority of states that do not allow NIL activities such as supporting public appearances at camps or autograph signings – which have become commonplace at the college level.
But that restriction doesn't apply to private school athletes like David Sanders Jr., also a five-star prospect and Tennessee transfer from Providence Day School in Charlotte. Sanders has a website where he sells merchandise with his image on it.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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