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Aug. 22, 2025: Syosset girl, 14, has an NIL deal

   Leading off today: Some 14-year-olds earn money by doing chores at home or by babysitting for neighbors. Incoming Syosset freshman soccer player Loradana Paletta will be earning her spending money by being Loradana Paletta.

   That's because Paletta, a midfielder with an impressive resume, already possesses an NIL deal. The arrangement with Lotto, a sports-oriented Italian apparel and equipment company, presumably carries with it financial compensation.

   Newsday's story did not indicate how much she's being paid, but it is likely in line with estimates for a few New York high school lacrosse players in the mid-four-figures range.

   The New York State Public High School Athletic Association was the nation's first state high school governing body to permit NIL deals, which stipulate that the deal cannot be tied to or associated with athlete's school or section.

   "I love rocking their gear, they really make me feel comfortable," Paletta said of Lotto. "I love the gear they send me, the matching sets, the cleats, it just makes me feel like such a professional, even though I'm just 14."

   Paletta's skill set is beyond that of the typical 14-year-old. She was the first girl to play for the boys MLS Next squad sponsored by NYCFC. This summer, she was a starter for the United States' U-17 Women's National Team in the 4 Nations Tournament in Mexico City.

Transgender athletes issues flares up again

   We haven't even made it to Labor Day, and the issue of transgender athletes playing high school sports has already flared up on volleyball courts in two states.

   On Wednesday, a sharply divided cross section of community members in the northwest suburbs of Chicago spoke at the Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 board meeting regarding a transgender student expected to compete on the Conant High School girls volleyball team.

   John Goodman, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, said the situation is at odds with why women's sports were created and that his own transgender child agrees.

   "I'm here because I want to try to appeal to your reason and your logic," Goodman told the board. "Inclusion needs to be balanced with fairness."

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   But openly gay Democratic Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison said society shouldn't demonize someone like this volleyball player and urged the audience to be mindful of the language they use.

   The Illinois High School Association's policy follows the state law allowing students to participate in activities consistent with their own gender identity.

    • Last week, a girls volleyball team in California forfeited to a team with a transgender athlete on its roster. Riverside Poly High School announced its team forfeited to Jurupa Valley High.

    The athlete, AB Hernandez, was the focus of intense attention in May while participating in a California girls track and field championship meet.

NFHS reports record participation

    High school athletics participation across the country increased by nearly 200,000 in the 2024-25 school year, continuing the post-pandemic growth trend and setting an all-time high for participation.

    The NFHS survey showed 8,260,891 participants, up by 198,589 from the record-setting previous year of 8,062,302. The total includes 4,723,907 boys and 3,536,984 girls according to figures obtained from the 51 NFHS member state associations, which includes the District of Columbia.

    Girls sports showed some of the biggest gains, led by flag football's 60% surge to 68,847 participants. Girls wrestling topped 74,000 participants for the first time, jumping 15% from a year ago. Boys wrestling continued its rebound, recording an increase of 8,340 to top 300,000 for the first time.

    The NYSPHSAA, the largest of New York's four governing bodies, has not yet released its data for the most recent school year.

Coaching news

    North Rockland coach Brian Diglio, who helped distance runner Katelyn Tuohy develop into a multiple-time national champion and sent about 100 other athletes to college programs, has stepped down from his girls cross-country role.

    His replacement is Chris Pagano.

    Diglio, who has taught history and social studies for 28 years, will continue in that role and spend more time watching his three children (two in college) compete in their respective sports.

Progress update

    The week-by-week football schedule has been added to the RoadToSyracuse.com website. There is also a rundown of returning all-state players.

          

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