California now allows college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, according to CNN.
What We Know:
- The bill goes into effect 2023 if it survives court challenges. State Senator Nancy Skinner, who created the Fair Pay to Play Act said she is hoping this will continue on a national scale.
- Athletes can now sign endorsement deals and also hire agents to represent them.
- The NCAA has warned that they considered this measure unconstitutional, according to the New York Times. They also warned that this puts athletes in a position where they cannot enter routine competitions, like College Football Playoff, which makes the universities $100 million in total.
- NCAA announced in May that they made a committee to consider changes. This is considered by some to be a tactic that would give them time to prepare for the legislative action.
NCAA statement on Gov. Newsom signing SB 206: https://t.co/laV4aT1Cpo pic.twitter.com/sCOOYZEkJd
— NCAA (@NCAA) September 30, 2019
I’m so incredibly proud to share this moment with all of you. @gavinnewsom came to The Shop to do something that will change the lives for countless athletes who deserve it! @uninterrupted hosted the formal signing for SB 206 allowing college athletes to responsibly get paid. pic.twitter.com/NZQGg6PY9d
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 30, 2019
Lebron James has openly endorsed this bill by justifying that he went in part to the NBA to help his mom out of a bad situation.