College athletes might be able to profit from their names after lawmakers in the House approved the concept Thursday morning as the legislative session gets ready to end next Friday. The legislation is included in HB 498.
Lawmakers such as Rep. Nick Schroer who supports the bill argues that it’s important to enable student athletes to support themselves even if they are already receiving an institutional sports scholarship from their university.
Right now, the NCAA does not allow athletes to profit off their likeness if the money is paid directly from the student’s college.
“I do not understand why this archaic rule has prevented so many people to make their own money off their own hard work, their own name, image and likeness, but they can do it in another industry at the same institution, just so long their aren’t under the veil of the NCAA”, said Schroer.
If passed, the amendment would prevent colleges from taking away scholarships from students who are making money off of their name, likeness and images. It would also ensure that colleges could not punish student athletes for profiting off their likeness.