The state House has overwhelmingly voted for a measure that would remove the current restrictions on the state’s name, image, and likeness law. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says the measures would allow universities and their employees to participate in NIL deals, which allows student-athletes to receive endorsement money.
“To be able to point them in the direction, where somewhere that the school might currently do business with, and it’s something that all the other states have the ability to do,” said Stefanski.
The legislation also removes limitations on boosters and NIL contracts would remain private between the player and the business. Stefanski says the legislation would not allow LSU or any school in Louisiana to use an NIL deal to recruit a player to come to their school.
“That may be going on, but it is illegal according to NCAA rules, so this NIL can not be used as an inducement to recruit an athlete,” said Stefanski.
The measure heads back to the Senate for concurrence on House amendments. Stefanski says the changes the state is about to make to its NIL laws will put Louisiana in line with what other states are doing.
“If LSU or any of our universities want to be able to compete with the Texas A-and-M’s, with the Alabama’s and see Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban upset on a regular basis on the sidelines, we have to be able to be competitive,” said Stefanski.
The measure is one Senate vote away from reaching the governor’s desk.
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