Antnai Bill to Legalize College Athletics Earning Compensation from their Name, Image, and Likeness Passes Senate Panel

COLUMBUS – Today, Senate Bill 187 sponsored by State Senator Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg) passed out of the Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee with a unanimous vote. SB 187 legalizes college athletes earning compensation from their name, image, and likeness. The bill prohibits any college, university, or intercollegiate athletic association from preventing a student from participating in athletics or otherwise punishing them as a result of earning this compensation. Under the bill, student athletes will be permitted to obtain professional representation and enter into contracts for endorsements. The student is required to inform their college or university of contracts they enter into. “Today, we took a big step forward in advancing the rights of student athletes in Ohio,” Antani said. “This bill restores the right of each student athlete to their own name, image, and likeness. I look forward to working to pass this through the full Senate.” The bill does not require universities to enable these opportunities for their athletes and athletes will be prohibited from entering into contracts where they will be associated with marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, or casinos.