Georgia Governor Kemp legalizes endorsements for college athletes – but there's a catch!

Atlanta, Georgia – On Thursday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a bill into law that allows college athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness for the first time – but there's one problem.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill into low allowing college athletes to earn money off their name, image, and likeness.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill into low allowing college athletes to earn money off their name, image, and likeness.  © collage: IMAGO / Icon SMI / ZUMA Wire

Critics have been pestering the NCAA for years, trying to get them to implement some type of endorsement clause that allows student athletes to earn money for their name, image, and likeness (NIL) for endorsement deals.

Per the norm, the association put it off again and again, forcing colleges and state officials like Gov. Kemp to think outside the NCAA's box and sign legislation that modernizes how student athletes are valued.

The bill, which is the first of its kind, will legalize student athlete endorsements for colleges throughout Georgia.

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But there's a downside to this monumental move. The new legislation leaves a massive amount of financial control in the hands of colleges, which are legally allowed to take up to 75% of the profits collegiate athletes earn for their NIL –though they aren't required to.

A section of the bill reads: "Team contracts may provide for a pooling arrangement whereby student athletes who receive compensation for the use of their name, image, or likeness pursuant to this article agree to contribute a portion of the compensation they receive pursuant to such contract to a fund for the benefit of individuals previously enrolled as student athletes in the same postsecondary educational institution as such student athlete."

Even with such a drawback, the allowance of endorsement deals for student athletes in Georgia a huge step forward in the world of college sports.

The road ahead is paved with dollar signs

Other states that wish to follow Gov. Kemp's lead can also use Georgia's 75% clause to their own advantage when it comes to recruiting. If other states decide to legalize endorsement deals for college athletes, they can counter Georgia colleges by allowing the athletes to keep all of their earnings, not just a percentage.

For students, the choice is likely a no-brainer: go where the money flows freely.

Cover photo: collage: IMAGO / Icon SMI / ZUMA Wire

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