Student-Athlete Compensation Bill Endorsed By CT Legislature

HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut has become the 17th state to allow student-athletes to benefit from their own names and likenesses.

The state Senate Tuesday evening provided the final passage of a bill that allows intercollegiate student-athletes in Connecticut to be compensated for an endorsement contract or to hire sports representation.

One senator, Derek Slap, of West Hartford, said it was right to "advocate for the right of college athletes to profit from their name or likeness by engaging in paid advertisements," even though it's something now-forbidden by the NCAA. The college sports governing body is, however, allowing states to write their own rules.

Under a section of a higher education bill passed Tuesday (House Bill 6402), beginning Sept. 1, college athletes in Connecticut can earn compensation through an endorsement contract or employment, and they can hire the legal or professional representation — a lawyer or sports agent.

"This bill really addresses an issue of basic fairness. These students have helped the NCAA earn billions of dollars in sports broadcast fees, but until now they could not participate in any of that profit," Slap said. "It's time to give our student-athletes in Connecticut the opportunity to make some money off of their name and their face and their talents. A student who is talented in art or music can make money off of their name, so why not an athlete? We’re fortunate to live in a state where our female athletes also have opportunities to benefit and that’s just one more reason to celebrate its passage."

The bill has been endorsed by the University of Connecticut and other state colleges and universities who fear that they could be at a disadvantage to recruit and retain student-athletes without such a policy.

The UConn athletic department rebased a statement Wednesday:

"We are grateful to the Connecticut General Assembly for its expeditious and bipartisan effort, which will result in UConn student-athletes having the ability to benefit from the expected evolution of name, image and likeness restrictions," it read. "Connecticut is now in line with almost 20 other states on this matter and we once again would like to pass along our gratitude to the state House of Representatives and the state Senate for their leadership."

Before Tuesday's vote in Hartford, 16 states had already passed similar laws — including Alabama, Georgia and Florida — and dozens of other states are considering similar legislation.