College athletes in California can now officially profit off their name, image and likeness.
California in 2019 became the first state to pass legislation allowing college athletes to do so, and the Fair Pay to Play Act was set to go into effect in 2023. A number of other states followed suit, resulting in the NCAA allowing its athletes to make money off endorsements beginning in July.
But California's law was set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, and schools – as well as the NCAA, at least theoretically – could've been able to develop their own rules in the absence of state laws. California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a bill ensuring the Fair Pay to Play Act took effect on Sept. 1.
"California led the charge against the unjust power imbalance in college sports, launching a national movement and spurring long-overdue changes in this multibillion-dollar enterprise," Newsom said in a release Monday. "I'm proud to build on our leadership with today's legislation to expand and protect our college athletes' rights to reap the rewards from their sacrifices and success."
The bill Newsom signed on Monday was drafted by Berkeley Sen. Nancy Skinner and Gardena Sen. Steven Bradford, both of whom are Democrats. Sen. Scott Wilk, a Republican from Santa Clarita, co-authored the bill.
In addition to moving up when the Fair Pay to Play Act went into effect, that law now covers community college athletes as well as their counterparts at four-year public and private universities. Athletes are now also able to profit off their "athletic reputation," meaning they can identify the school they attend in endorsements and advertisements.
The new bill passed unanimously in the California Senate and Assembly in August.
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