California's governor signed the student athlete bill on the set of LeBron James' HBO show
We have footage of a potentially historic moment in college athletics thanks to LeBron.
Starting in 2023, college athletes in California will be able to profit off their name and likeness after California governor Gavin Newsom signed CA-SB206 into state law. Thanks to LeBron James’ HBO show The Shop, we have footage of Newsom putting pen to paper and making the law official.
Before signing the bill, the governor spoke about the importance of this new law:
“I don’t want to say this is checkmate, but this is a major problem for the NCAA,” Newsom said. “It’s going to initiate dozens of other states to introduce similar legislation, and 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. Now, we’re re-balancing that power arrangement.”
“This is the No. 1 reason why we created this platform,” James said after the bill was signed. “To be able to have moments like this where we got the governor of California signing a bill to allow athletes in college [to be paid.]”
Of course, there is still a long way to go before athletes are actually able to make the money this bill will allow them to make. It’s unlikely the NCAA, which has called the bill “unconstitutional,” will just cooperate with the state, so a long fight lies ahead.
Via USA TODAY Sports:
Last week, Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith, who is co-chairing the NCAA panel studying the name-image-and-likeness issue, told USA TODAY Sports that if Newsom signed the bill, the uncertainty surrounding a potential difference between California law and NCAA rules would prompt him – for now — not to schedule games against California schools for dates after Jan. 1, 2023, because he does not see how they could remain NCAA members unless differences between the law and the NCAA’s rules can be resolved.
Newsom signing this bill could be the start of a new era in college athletics. Or it could be nothing. Either way, it’s cool that we have video of it happening. Thanks, LeBron.