On the eve of a brand new era in collegiate athletics, Pennsylvania has taken the final step to allow student-athletes to officially be able to benefit from the use of their name, image, and likeness. On Thursday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed the state’s new budget into law. Inside the budget are details about NIL legislation to allow Penn State student-athletes, and those at every other college or university in Pennsylvania, to capitalize on their own personal brand. Pennsylvania is the 25th state to pass NIL legislation, according to Sports Illustrated.
This is moving at a breakneck pace.
Our updated @SINow state-by-state NIL map, as of 6/29 at 5 ET.
Despite NCAA's minimalist NIL solution, schools in states with laws do have benefits. It provides schools legal protection & rules guidance while guaranteeing NIL for athletes. pic.twitter.com/JIsfKgDyCL
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) June 29, 2021
We have the first state in the US to allow athletes to earn compensation.
Pennsylvania's governor signed into law today an article as part of the state budget that *immediately* allows athletes in that state to earn compensation.https://t.co/3d6N7j0eqI
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) June 30, 2021
The NIL changes around college sports officially go into effect on July 1 (Thursday), so Pennsylvania got in just in time to allow student-athletes the opportunities those in a number of other states will be receiving.
According to the language of the bill, student-athletes will be allowed to profit on the use of their name, image or likeness and may receive professional representation. However, no student-athlete will be allowed to use their school’s name or logo and companies related to adult entertainment products and services, alcohol, casinos and gambling, tobacco and electronic smoking products, prescription pharmaceuticals, and controlled dangerous substances are off-limits.
Cool alternate map from @ameo31 featuring Power 5 schools located in states that have passed NIL laws. pic.twitter.com/OFvRrSs3yC
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) June 30, 2021
Schools like Penn State, Pitt, and Temple would be prohibited from advertising the NIL possibilities in recruiting pitches.
This will all be wild to see unfold, but it may still take a little time before we see just how Penn State players begin taking advantage of this new era. As the bill states, student-athletes must provide documentation of any deals “at least seven days prior to its execution.” Many schools have set up NIL-specific programs to assist their players to benefit from these new opportunities. At this time, we have not seen a word about such a program from Penn State, but don’t expect that to be the case for very long. Odds are pretty good it’s been worked on for a while and just waiting for things to become official.
In the meantime, brace yourself for a brand new world of student-athletes growing their personal brand. The time has finally come.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.