SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A bill approved by lawmakers in Springfield early Tuesday morning would allow college athletes in Illinois to hire agents and sign endorsement deals. If Governor Pritzker signs it, they could start making deals this summer.
The measure comes as the NCAA has said it would support student athletes profiting off of their name, image, and likeness. The organization has even urged Congress to pass a law that would allow college athletes to sign endorsement deals nationwide; but according to the Tribune, it unlikely Congress will act before July 1, when laws in several states are set to take effect.
Still, the NCAA has yet to act on changing its long-standing bylaws that prohibit student athletes from receiving compensation in any form for playing sports, the Tribune reported.
The legislation in Illinois was sponsored by two former college football players, State Representative Kam Buckner and Senator Napoleon Harris, and would apply to both public and private colleges and universities.
Not everything would be on the table, though. The legislation bans athletes from pitching sports betting, alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, vaping products, adult entertainment or any other product “considered to be inconsistent with the values of a postsecondary institution” or which would bring “embarrassment, scandal or ridicule” to a college or university, the Tribune reported.
Some lawmakers asked about protections for college athletes.
Sponsor State Representative Kam Buckner said the measure would allow students to hire attorneys and agents to help them, but acknowledged it did not provide for any additional protections.
Meanwhile, sponsor State Senator Napoleon Harris, who played football for Northwestern University and in the NFL, said the University of Illinois already has a plan to educate their athletes about how to best go about pursuing endorsement deals; and other universities are likely to have similar initiatives.
If Governor Pritzker signs the bill, it would take effect July 1. That’s when laws in five other states kick in as well. In total, 15 states have passed laws allowing for endorsement deals and agents.
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