DETROIT — Michigan may be facing tough economic times, but high schools looking to make a few bucks can't do it by selling real estate on football jerseys and hockey sweaters.

Guidelines for team uniforms don't allow schools to accept sponsorships, The Detroit News reported Monday.

"We've been getting that question for several years; there are schools who are interested," said John Johnson, spokesman for the Michigan High School Athletic Association. "People are looking for ways to monetize whatever they can do to fund programs.

"More schools are moving in that direction, to the point of self-funded programs. We understand schools are looking for every opportunity. But the sponsorship of uniforms is something that's not allowed right now."

That applies to all sports governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations, Randy Allen, MHSAA's assistant director, told The Associated Press.

Schools do have some options, though. The News reports ads could be placed on warm-up and practice gear, since that clothing isn't regulated by the MHSAA.

Sports outside the federation's jurisdiction — such as bowling, tennis and golf — aren't bound by the guidelines barring advertising on uniforms, Allen said.

The MHSAA's own guidelines allow breast-pocket or sleeve ads on bowling shirts, Allen said. As for golf and tennis, "the need hasn't arisen" to address whether ads are allowed under rules set by the United States Golf Association and the United States Tennis Association, he said.

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Information from: The Detroit News, http://www.detnews.com