JACKSONVILLE, Fla — Bartram Trail High School Lacrosse star Ryann Frechette was offered a Name, Image, and Likeness deal from a notable lacrosse brand, but the FHSAA denied the opportunity.
Ryann’s father, Burt Frechette said they wanted to go through the proper channels because if she signed the contract, the league’s bylaws say she would have to forfeit her amateur status.
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“I understand why they denied it,” Frechette said.
The junior attacker is committed to play college lacrosse at the University of Florida.
In August, she was offered a NIL deal with STX, a global sporting goods leader in lacrosse and field hockey, but couldn’t accept the offer because the FHSAA’s current policy concerning NIL that doesn’t allow amateur athletes to accept them in Florida.
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“They can’t really make an exception for one and not have the floodgates for another,” Frechette said.
Ryann was expected to make nearly $5,000, including equipment from the company.
Her dad says he understands it wasn’t a lot of money, but they still wanted to go through the process to see if it would be approved.
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“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 said.
Frechette and his daughter Ryann sent a letter to the FHSAA for appeal on three separate occasions. Each time, they were denied.
Frechette tells Action News Jax, this situation is bigger than just his daughter.
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“I just wish they would look at it holistically for all athletes and not just what everyone kind of understand NIL to be,” Frechette said.
Ryann said if her deal was approved, she wanted to help improve the game of lacrosse.
“I just think for me, it was more about growing the game and making a difference,” Ryann Frechette said.
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Despite this setback, Ryann remains positive.
“It does just make me more excited for my future. So, I’m just for everything else that happens along with it,” Ryan Frechette said.
We did also reach out to the FHSAA for comment on this matter. Although it was past business hours, we are still waiting on a response.
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