The bill would allow universities and private colleges to pay a student-athlete for the use of their name, image and likeness, known as NIL.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Tuesday, Ohio legislators are slated to cast their votes on a legislation designed to assist Ohio colleges in staying competitive as they navigate the evolving landscape of compensating student-athletes.
The bill’s co-sponsors say the proposed legislation will also protect student-athletes and erase gray areas when it comes to negotiating name, image and likeness deals.
The Ohio House of Representatives is expected to vote on House Bill 660 on Tuesday.
Rep. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Rep. Jay Edwards (R- Nelsonville) introduced the bill in late August. At that time, they said it would allow universities the nonprofit collectives that raise money to pay athletes and the student-athletes themselves to work directly together through the process of making a deal.
On Monday, the Republican and Democratic leaders in the Ohio House said the bill will make sure Ohio universities have a level playing field with other schools across the country.
“I think that us having the ability to work within where we’re going and where all states are going to have to go, is a good thing,” House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D- Upper Arlington) said.
Stephens says it is important the Legislature put the NIL provisions into Ohio law.
“It’s important for colleges and universities in Ohio and our student-athletes to be on the forefront of that and to make sure that we can be competitive,” House Speaker Jason Stephens (R- Kitts Hill) said.
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In November, Gov. Mike DeWine signed an executive order allowing Ohio universities to provide direct compensation to their student-athletes for the use of their name, image and likeness.
Right now, leaders are waiting on final court approval of a settlement agreement between the NCAA and several athletic conferences that will allow schools to pay players.
The Ohio bill and the executive order prohibit universities from using fees or tuition paid by students, or state tax money to pay student-athletes.
If the bill passes in the House, it will still have to go through the state Senate.
