Westfield volleyball powerhouse Carsyn Comer made history this week, becoming one of the very first Central Indiana athletes to profit from her name, image, and likeness, all thanks to the IHSAA’s recent ruling. This isn’t just some handshake deal; we’re talking about a legitimate personal branding collaboration that’s about to shake up the entire high school sports scene. Seriously, the game just changed for these young athletes.
This Is How You Do High School NIL Right Now
Comer, a dominant 6-3 middle blocker and the undisputed No. 1 ranked player in her class, inked a deal with MyPlayer Next for a limited-edition apparel line. Imagine t-shirts, sweaters, and hoodies, all featuring the Louisville commit’s own name, image, and signature. And yeah, they’re rocking Louisville’s school colors: red-and-black. MyPlayer Next, founded by a former college wrestler, is this genius team merch and fundraising platform that nails custom apparel for individual athletes and teams. This whole thing is possible because the IHSAA board of directors gave the green light for athletes to use their NIL, as long as they don’t depict any affiliation with a member school or use school property. It’s smart, it’s forward-thinking, and it’s absolutely awesome to see players like Comer seize this opportunity.
From Instagram DM To Landmark Deal
How did this all go down? Comer actually thought about hitting up MyPlayer Next earlier in the summer, but never did. Then, about two or three weeks ago, *they* slid into her Instagram DMs to see if she was interested. “That was pretty cool,” Comer said, and you know what? It absolutely is! The process wasn’t just a quick sign-off though. Comer and her parents spent a few weeks reviewing the contract and meeting with the Westfield athletic directors to get the official nod. They even chatted briefly with Randy Fisher, a local football agent, and plan to follow up again. As Comer put it, “I don’t really know what’s going on. It’s all so new.” But she loved the designs right away, stating, “I loved the first thing they gave me, so I stuck with the first one.” She’s totally in control, too. “They’re amazing at making sure it’s what I want,” she added, emphasizing that it’s *her* merch, and MyPlayer Next makes her feel comfortable. Her collection dropped Thursday on Instagram and their website. And she isn’t alone in this; Zionsville grad Elli Strecker, now a freshman middle blocker at Louisville, and Chesterton senior Luca Bombacino, a Michigan commit whose collection launched this week, are also working with MyPlayer Next.
So what’s next for Comer? She’s tried reaching out to other companies, but most are only doing ambassador deals with college students, which she finds “a little frustrating,” but totally understands. Right now, her main priority isn’t sending emails; it’s the school season, chasing that state title, and absolutely dominating on the court. But make no mistake, Carsyn Comer has just opened the door for a ton of other high school athletes.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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