COLUMBUS, Ohio (WXIX) – Ohio state lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday that would make it easier for universities to recruit athletes by allowing them to make money off their names and talent.
State Reps. Adam Mathews of Lebanon and Jay Edwards of Nelsonville argue that this bill will ensure student-athletes are paid and that universities will participate in the payment process.
“Ohio is one of the first states to offer our athletes the opportunity to benefit from their name, image and likeness. However, other states have learned from their experiences and found ways to improve,” Matthews said.
State Rep. Mathews wants to streamline the process by modeling it after schools in the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference. This move is intended to simplify name, image and likeness agreements while ensuring that the contracts are well structured and benefit the athletes.
“Our goal is to continue to provide Ohio’s student-athletes and universities with the opportunity to compete in the new, ever-growing NIL world,” Edwards said.
In addition, the bill is intended to protect athletes from deals that could violate NCAA rules or the law. It also gives private companies such as Cincy Reigns or “The Foundation” more leeway to negotiate deals for athletes.
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