Game on!
California Gov. Gavin Newsom went on the offensive against the NCAA on Monday, signing a first-of-its-kind law that allows the state’s college athletes to hire agents and ink endorsement deals — just like the pros.
“It’s going to change college sports for the better by having now the interest, finally, of the athletes on par with the interests of the institutions,” Newsom said. “Now we’re rebalancing that power arrangement.”
But the controversial legislation was already creating upheaval on the national sports scene.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association — college sports’ governing body — warned that the unilateral move would create an uneven playing field for the rest of the nation’s schools, leaving California players possibly barred from NCAA competition.
The organization has said it may take legal action before the law goes in effect in 2023.
State legislators in New York, Florida and South Carolina are in the middle of considering similar legislation.
“It is clear that a patchwork of different laws from different states will make unattainable the goal of providing a fair and level playing field for 1,100 campuses and nearly half a million student-athletes nationwide,” the NCAA said in a statement.
At play are millions of dollars in endorsement deals that are currently out of reach for athletes who play in the NCAA.
Colleges reap billions from student athletes but block them from earning a single dollar. That’s a bankrupt model.
I just signed the Fair Play to Pay Act with @KingJames — making CA the first state to allow student athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness. pic.twitter.com/aWE9OL9r1v
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 30, 2019
That’s because the organization has steadfastly refused to allow them to be paid.
But growing outcry over the fact that schools are reaping massive financial rewards off the backs of their players has put increased heat on the organization.
“No other [type of] college student is restricted from using their name, image, and likeness. Not one,” Newsom said at a press conference.
He added that the current NCAA set-up disproportionately affects struggling minorities.
Still, the fact that the law doesn’t take effect for several years leaves plenty of time for both sides to try to work out a deal, he said.
Basketball superstar LeBron James — whose 14-year-old son is already a hoops phenom himself — hailed the new law, predicting in a tweet that it would “change the lives for countless athletes who deserve it!
“NCAA, you got the next move. We can solve this for everyone!” he said.
