With the possibility of federal legislation looming, states have not slowed their progress to permit student-athletes enrolled in colleges and universities to receive payment for the use of their names, images, and likenesses (“NIL”). The laws enacted vary somewhat from state-to-state, but the common themes permit student-athletes to be paid for the use of their names, images, and likenesses, to hire representatives to represent student-athletes’ interests, and student-athletes may not be compelled to forfeit their rights in order to participate in intercollegiate athletics. At present, the following nineteen (19) states have NIL legislation in place:
Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, and Missouri currently have bills waiting for signatures of their governors that are expected to be signed any day.
The following states have pending bills that have not yet been approved: Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
The following states have yet to propose bills: Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
For any questions, feel free to contact Christian Dennie at cdennie@bgsfirm.com .