Lawmakers push for changes to Ohio’s NIL law

(WJW) – State lawmakers want to update Ohio’s laws surrounding college athletes being paid for their name, image and likeness.

“Right now, what happens is that if a student-athlete wants to get an endorsement deal, he or she speaks with a collaborative. So for the University of Cincinnati, it’s called Cincy Reigns, which is not the U. of Cincinnati. The university right now cannot help oversee the communications,
cannot help with those contracts and make sure their student-athletes are protected,” said state Rep. Adam Mathews, one of the sponsors.

Mathews said the bill would update Ohio’s NIL law to allow universities and the nonprofit
collaboratives to work together.

“There is a grey area if they are allowed to talk, if they are allowed to do contracts together,” said Mathews.

State Rep. Jay Edwards, the other sponsor, said this is the first update since the governor signed an executive order back in 2021.

“Players are going to get paid no matter what. Our university should not have to jump through all these extra hoops that they’re having to jump through to ensure that the athletes are receiving the compensation that they deserve,” said Edwards.

According to state reps, the bill also states that students are still not allowed to advertise alcohol, gambling, marijuana and things like that.

Both lawmakers said the bill will help boost participation in the college sports industry.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.