Louisiana State Senator Patrick Connick (R-Marrero) has filed a bill that would allow college athletes in Louisiana to make money off their name, image, and likeness.
"It’s not a pay-for-play program," Connick explaine. "It’s for amateur athletes to benefit from their work and their name."
States like California and Florida have already passed legislation to allow athletes to make money off their name, image, and likeness. Connick says his bill will encourage Louisiana athletes to stay in-state.
"We want to keep our athletes in Louisiana and this will give them an incentive to stay here, hopefully, this will put pressure on the NCAA to get their act together and make a unified system.," said Connick.
If passed, the law would take effect on January 1, 2023. Connick says schools would not have a say in the matter, which would give freedom to the athletes on how they make money.
"It would be a hands-off approach for the athletes in the school," said Connick. "The school will have no input or control over what the athlete does and the athlete can get agents and do what he needs to do to market his image."
