Georgia Student Athletes Can Finally RECEIVE Compensation and benefits from the third-party

With the enactment of GA HB617 comes a new future for Georgia student athletes. Beginning today (1 July 2021), student athletes in Georgia can receive pay and benefits for their name, image, and likeness.

The name, image, and likeness rights are described as an individual’s right to publicity. All american citizens have the right to profit off of their NIL. However, until now, college athletes lost that right when signing college scholarship agreements. Now, GA student athletes can be compensated through third party endorsements if they choose to do so.

Not only did the passing of the bill allow student athletes to have the choice of benefitting from their NIL, but it also prevents institutions from taking away their right. Clause G states that any postsecondary educational institution should not adopt or maintain any sort of policy that prevents athletes from earning compensation from their name, image, and likeness. Unlike before, where an athlete could lose their ability to compete in college athletics if endorsed, athletes now have a choice and a right that can not be taken away from them.

One of the biggest concerns with this by many critics is/was the availability of scholarships due to benefitting from a third party. This issue is also addressed in clauses B and C in which it is stated that instiutions will not be allowed to revoke scholarships or discriminate against third party recipients, and also scholarships and grants are not counted towards total benefits.

With this change in Georgia (and several other states), the NCAA has decided to suspend its amateurism rules and temporarily allows all athletes to bypass their endorsement policies. After fighting for years, this is one big victory for student athletes, and a huge step forward for college athletics statewide and nationally.