This week, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Board of Governors voted in favor of permitting student athletes to benefit and receive financial compensation from the use of their name, image, and likeness.
“I applaud the NCAA Board of Governors who made the right decision to support our student athletes, not just in California, but across the U.S.,” said Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena). “While I question whether or not this special committee and vote would have occurred if our bill was not introduced and passed by the Legislature, this is nonetheless a major step forward bringing about greater equity and fairness to a system that generates billions off of the backs of our talented and hardworking athletes.”
Senate Bill 206, known as the Fair Pay to Play Act, was authored by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) and Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), and co-authored by 21 other members of the Legislature. It was approved by both the Assembly and Senate with bi-partisan support and signed into law on September 30. This bill will give California student athletes the right to their name, image, and likeness, allowing them to earn money from sponsorships, endorsements and other activities.