New NIL Policy Sparks Excitement for Billings High School Athletes

In Billings, Montana, a significant change for high school athletes has just taken place. On Monday, the Montana High School Association approved a new policy allowing student-athletes to capitalize on their own name, image, and likeness (NIL). This comes as a game-changer for many young athletes looking to benefit from their hard work and talent.

One standout student, Matt “Moose” Ludwig, who is a junior at Billings West High School, is already feeling the impact of this new policy. As the top football recruit of the Class of 2026, Ludwig has begun narrowing down his options for college. His list now includes four prestigious schools: Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas Tech. “I had some people reaching out in the past, but (the policy) wasn’t passed so I had to turn some things down,” Ludwig shared. “It’s all about waiting. It’s a cool opportunity to have, especially here in Montana.”

Time is not on Ludwig’s side as he juggles multiple sports disciplines. As a three-sport athlete, his summers are filled with workouts and various camps nationwide, leaving little room for a side job to earn extra cash. Billings West’s head football coach, Rob Stanton, emphasized the importance of supporting young talents in their dual commitments to academics and sports. “If someone wants to give them some money for sponsorship or whatever they’re going to do for them, why not?” he remarked.

Furthermore, the NIL policy could ease the financial burden on parents who dedicate time and resources to help their kids succeed. “This could help a lot of athletes out,” Ludwig states. “It’s really cool to see that these athletes get to benefit in these ways because sports is a full 24/7 activity that you’re doing all the time, especially for the dedicated ones.”

As for Ludwig’s marketability, having a catchy nickname like “Moose” certainly gives him an upper hand. Coach Stanton noted, “You have to be able to play before people probably want to attach some money to your name. … It’s good he stuck with that name.” With his growing reputation as a talented athlete, Ludwig seems set to pave the way for other high school athletes in Montana seeking to profit from their skills.

As this new policy unfolds, many will be watching Ludwig and other aspiring athletes take on this exciting venture, marking an important moment in Montana high school sports.