LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Bipartisan legislation has been introduced by State Reps. Brandt Iden (R-Oshtemo) and Joe Tate (D-Detroit) would help better compensate Michigan student athletes.
“This is not a partisan issue at the end of the day, this is about protecting our student athletes,” Iden said.
According to an official press release, student athletes legally cannot receive compensation from a third party in exchange for using any forms of name, likeness or image.
Iden and Tate’s proposals would overhaul the law so Michigan collegiate athletes can have more financial freedom.
“We’re not going to punt on this issue. We’re going to lead,” Iden said. “College sports is a billion-dollar business, but these outdated NCAA rules treat the student-athletes at the heart of that business unfairly. Right now, student-athletes have no liberty when it comes to capitalizing on their own names and images.”
An additional bill sponsored by Tate would allow student athletes to enter a contract with a personal agent.
“Someone can set up a signing at their store and charge $25 per inscription, but the student-athlete providing that signature or inscription gets nothing under current NCAA bylaws,” Tate said. “Athletes who are struggling to get by and unable to even have a little walking around money are going to be able to enter into the market through their current craft, and that’s a positive and just development.”
If signed into law, the bills would go into effect in July of 2020.
