The Journal. Inside the Black Market for High School Football Players
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Jan 16, 2026 
Investigative reporter Harriet Ryan uncovers the dark side of the high school football world. She dives into the case of Phillip Bell, a gifted athlete whose talent led him into the black market where families are paid millions. Ryan reveals how street agents exploit young players and the struggle to enforce payment rules. The podcast highlights the emotional toll on families, including a custody battle and tragic loss, emphasizing that Phillip's experience is just the tip of the iceberg in a troubling industry.
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Money Seeping Into High School Football
- High-school football in Southern California has an emerging black market where top teens become commodified.
- Money seeps down from college NIL deals into high school, creating new pressures and actors.
The Phillip Bell Case Study
- Phillip Bell got his first D1 offer in eighth grade and was tracked by street agents and boosters.
- Those agents offered families tens of thousands, houses, cars, or jobs to steer players to certain schools.
Agents Act As Middlemen Outside The Rules
- Street agents act as middlemen connecting talented teens with boosters or parents willing to pay.
- These deals violate interscholastic rules but rarely trigger criminal enforcement or rigorous oversight.