Charlie Woods Expected to Reject NIL Offers – School Coach
Toby Harbeck, the coach of Benjamin boys golf, has been contemplating the potential effects of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) on Florida high school athletes since the topic first emerged last fall. Following the Florida High School Athletic Association’s approval of NIL legislation on Tuesday, state champion Charlie Woods is now eligible to receive financial…
Toby Harbeck, the coach of Benjamin boys golf, has been contemplating the potential effects of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) on Florida high school athletes since the topic first emerged last fall. Following the Florida High School Athletic Association’s approval of NIL legislation on Tuesday, state champion Charlie Woods is now eligible to receive financial compensation for his golfing talents.
“It is what it is. It’s going to be interesting,” Harbeck told The Post on Tuesday evening.
He added that he had not yet discussed the matter with Charlie or his father, Tiger Woods. “They’re very protective as far as letting anyone get a word in about anything,” he said.
### NIL in Florida and Palm Beach County
The approval of NIL legislation by the Florida High School Athletic Association means high school athletes across all sports can now profit from their name, image, and likeness. This development could have significant implications for athletes in Palm Beach County, including high-profile figures like Charlie Woods.
### Potential NIL Deals for Charlie Woods
Harbeck recalled Charlie’s appearance at the PNC Championship in December, where he wore Greyson Clothiers apparel. This event sparked rumors of a potential partnership between Charlie and the clothing line, which were highlighted in a Sports Illustrated article titled “Tiger Woods’s Son Charlie Might Have a New Apparel Partner—And It’s Not Nike.” The article noted Charlie’s choice of clothing and the company’s social media posts featuring him as an “intriguing development.”
However, Harbeck dismissed these rumors. “That wasn’t true,” he stated. “A lot of what you hear is noise and until you have to deal with it, you treat it as noise.”
### Future NIL Deals for Charlie Woods
With the new FHSAA NIL approval, Charlie Woods could potentially cash in on his high school golf career. However, Harbeck believes the Woods family is well-prepared to handle any NIL offers that come their way. “They’re smart enough to know what’s good, what’s not good,” Harbeck said. “I’m sure someone’s going to approach him with [NIL] … but they’re so smart and they’ve got such good people around them that I think the only thing we need to be careful of is making sure we’re all aware of what’s going on − and that deals with all kids.”
Harbeck is confident that if Charlie is offered a deal, he will be “one of the first to know.” To his knowledge, “no one has approached” the Woods family with any NIL deals yet.
### Harbeck’s Skepticism about Woods Family Accepting NIL Money
The four-time state champion golf coach expressed doubt that the Woods family would accept any NIL deals. “Obviously, someone’s going to go in on Charlie, but I doubt they’ll accept it,” Harbeck said. “I know them too well.”
He questioned the benefit of Charlie receiving NIL money, noting that Charlie does not need fame or money. “So what’s the benefit of Charlie receiving NIL money? Is there one? I don’t know,” he pondered.
Harbeck concluded with certainty: “All Tiger wants to do is keep the kid in Charlie.”