An Illinois lawmaker has "introduced a bill that would allow college athletes to make money from endorsement deals," in the aftermath of California Gov. Gavin Newsom signing SB 206, according to Jamie Munks of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. IIllinois state Rep. Emanuel Welch yesterday said, "My goal is to get this passed into law so that we're on a level playing field with California going into recruiting season." Welch's bill "prohibits colleges and universities from removing a student athlete's eligibility if he or she earns compensation from an endorsement deal." It would "apply to four-year public and private institutions." The bill "bars student athletes from making money off a contract that conflicts with the athlete's team contract and requires athletes to disclose endorsement deals to the school." If the Illinois bill is passed and signed into law as written, it "would take effect" in '23, the same year as the California bill (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/1).
Other lawmakers from around the country also gave their thoughts on the California bill and how their own states could react similarly:
- Florida House Minority Leader Kionne McGhee filed a proposal for the '20 legislative session, which begins Jan. 14, that "would allow Florida college and university athletes to be compensated through endorsement deals that use their names, images and likenesses" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 10/1).
- Colorado state Sens. Owen Hill and Jeff Bridges confirmed that they will "introduce legislation similar to California which would allow Colorado college athletes to be paid." Hill said that he "expects the legislation to be introduced in January when the General Assembly reconvenes" (KDVR.com, 9/30).
- Nevada Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson and state Sen. Yvanna Cancela said that they are in the "early stages of exploring similar legislation" to California's. Cancela said that she "doesn't have a formalized proposal yet and is still in the research process as she looks for 'a proposal that fits Nevada'" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/1).
- New York state Sen. Kevin Parker last week proposed a bill which would "require colleges to pay its athletes directly, and make the state the first to do so." North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington and Colorado have also "tried to make strides towards the similar effort this year" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/1).
- Maryland General Assembly Delegate Brooke Lierman said that she would "'absolutely' support legislation similar to California's new law making its way to Maryland." She added, "It is past time for state legislatures to step up to the plate and ensure that our student-athletes have a fair deal when they enroll in state universities and colleges and participate in our athletic programs, but I think the issue of fairly treating our student-athletes in public universities and colleges is larger than the issue of image and likeness" (BALTIMORE SUN, 10/1).
- U.S. Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.), who in March introduced legislation that would prohibit the NCAA from stopping athletes from profiting off NIL, said in a statement yesterday that he "supported the move" by California. He said the bill "will lead to breaking down this monopoly." Walker added that he has had discussions with other lawmakers about "getting a hearing for his bill." He said that the "publicity from the California legislation has led other lawmakers to approach him, asking for more information about his legislation" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 10/1).
CALLING FOR CHANGE: In Houston, Jenny Dial Creech writes "more states -- including Texas -- should pass similar laws" to California's. It is "time for student-athletes to be granted the same rights as their fellow students and be able to profit off their names and faces" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/1). CBSSPORTS.com's Matt Norlander wrote California is the "first of what could become many states to allow student-athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness." If that happens, the NCAA "would have virtually no choice but to alter its rulebook due to the sheer volume of states and schools therein that would be empowered under similar legislation" as California's (CBSSPORTS.com, 9/30). ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz said, "There is going to be a game of chicken between the NCAA and California. But if other states follow, the NCAA is going to have no choice" ("The Jump," ESPN, 9/30).
