The Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act allows students to be compensated, not directly by their schools, but by endorsements and marketing campaigns. Under the new law, college athletes will be able to hire agents and negotiate deals to profit off their name and likeness.
Illinois is leading the nation in modernizing the collegiate sports system and giving athletes opportunities and rights. The NCAA Division 1 Council announced their support of an interim policy to test out a system allowing endorsements and compensation for athletes. Similar laws have been passed in other states but have not been implemented. Illinois joins a growing movement to address athlete compensation among criticism of the multibillion-dollar NCAA athletic industry.
The law in Illinois will apply to both private and public colleges and universities and requires the athletes only accept endorsements and promotions for products or services that are consistent with the values and mission of educational institutions. The law also allows college athletes opportunities to teach or coach their respective sports during summer breaks for compensation.
Athletic directors and collegiate athletes from across the state hailed the governor’s signing of the bill as a meaningful change in college sports to bring equity to the student athletes.
In Congress, a national College Athletic Economic Freedom Act has been introduced to standardize athletic compensation and give athletes their name, image, and likeness rights in all fifty states.
For more information on the Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act, please reach out to the attorneys at Rock Fusco & Connelly, LLC.