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Michigan lawmaker, former MSU football player, introduces bill to prevent NCAA regulation of NIL in state

Andrew Olson

By Andrew Olson

Published:

College sports is in a new era of revenue sharing and NIL deals requiring NCAA clearinghouse approval. The NCAA may start running into regulation issues at the state level.

A new bill in Michigan is getting national attention. State Rep. Joe Tate, a former Michigan State offensive lineman, has introduced a bill in response to the post-House settlement rules and regulations.

Under Tate’s bill, universities in Michigan would be prohibited from placing any limitations on student-athletes’ NIL rights, including how those deals are structured and the terms of compensation. The bill also would prohibit the reporting of NIL deal details to the NCAA or other athletic associations. Under the law, the NCAA would be barred from punishing a school or athlete for issues related to NIL rights.

As a lawmaker and former athlete, Tate has strong feelings about NCAA regulations clashing with state law.

Speaking as a state legislator around legislation that was passed, that’s the law of the land, the law of our state,” Tate told The Detroit News. “I think that is something that we would continue to address too, if we see those explicit conflicts with the NCAA in particular, trying to essentially punish student-athletes for something that is their right here in the state of Michigan.

One would expect that other states may follow if Michigan law effectively shields athletes from NIL regulation.

Andrew Olson

A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.