Although it goes against many of the NCAA’s major rules for its athletes, California signed a bill allowing athletes to earn money for their likeness. The Fair Pay to Play Act was signed into law today by California governor Gavin Newsom. Newsom went on LeBron James’s platform Uninterrupted to actually promote and sign the bill. The bill will now allow athletes playing sports at schools in the state of California to receive money based on their image and likeness.
The bill will go into effect in January of 2023 with more schools to possibly follow. South Carolina is reportedly considering introducing the bill as well. In addition to South Carolina, more than five other states have also considered introducing the bill.
Colleges reap billions from student athletes but block them from earning a single dollar. That’s a bankrupt model.
I just signed the Fair Play to Pay Act with @KingJames — making CA the first state to allow student athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness. pic.twitter.com/aWE9OL9r1v
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 30, 2019
California State Senator Nancy Skinner introduced the bill back in February before this historic day. The NCAA has already said that if the rules have not changed for the entire organization, California schools would be banned from taking part in NCAA competitions. The NCAA may have a problem on their hands if more and more states follow in California’s lead. Whole or partial conferences could be at risk of being effected similar to how the PAC-12 could be in 2023. With the NCAA not allowing students to profit off likeness this is something that may ultimately be taken to court when the time comes.
