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Senator from Ohio proposes state NIL law
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There could be name, image and likeness legislation coming to Ohio.
On Monday, Ohio state senator Niraj Antani reportedly proposed a state NIL law that would go into effect on July 1, 2021. It’s part of a changing system that has forced the NCAA to rethink its amateurism model that has been in place for decades.
ESPN’s Dan Murphy reported that Antani had the support of Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith in proposing the state legislation. Smith has been part of the NCAA’s working group to find a solution to allowing student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness.
Ohio state Sen. Niraj Antani has proposed a state NIL law that would go into effect on July 1. He's got the support of Ohio State AD Gene Smith, who has been leading the NCAA's efforts to change their NIL-related rules for the past couple years.
— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) May 24, 2021
Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch also reported that former Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel is also in support of the proposed legislation. He is currently the president at Youngstown State University.
Antani said he contacted OSU 18 months ago and the university helped craft the bill. Said former OSU coach Jim Tressel, now Youngstown U president, also was involved.
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) May 24, 2021
Because the NCAA has continually dragged its feet on this issue, states across the country have been working to make their own legislation. It will likely result in changes at an organizational level.
As of right now, the NCAA has made no changes to its NIL rules and policies. That could change next month, as the NCAA is expected to discuss the matter again during its June meeting.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB