Washington, WSU Officials Oppose Bill On Athlete Compensation

Univ. of Washington and Washington State officials testified against proposed state legislation that "would allow college athletes to be compensated" by earning "income from endorsements or other means." At a state House committee hearing yesterday in Olympia, the school officials "cited concerns the bill would put their institutions at odds with the NCAA and discourage athletes from attending the two universities." State Rep. Drew Stokesbary, the bill's primary sponsor, said that the measure "wouldn’t necessarily override any NCAA rules, but instead it would make it a violation of the state’s consumer protection act if the NCAA tried to enforce those rules on Washington schools" (Q13FOX.com, 1/23).