(The Center Square) – Ohio college athletes moved closer to being legally directly paid, but time is running out.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued an executive order in November that allows colleges and universities to pay student-athletes. Now, though, the House has passed legislation that makes it law and adds to the orders with an eye toward competing with college conferences around the country.
“After looking at other states, especially in the SEC, we should again codify and bolster the Governor’s Executive Order to eliminate red tape, legislative issues, and legal problems so our athletes can succeed,” bill sponsor Rep. Adam Mathews, R-Lebanon, said in testimony. “Currently, there’s a legal gray area between the collectives and universities, which puts student-athletes in an odd situation.”
Those comments came as good news to Ohio State Athletics Director Ross Bjork, who testified before the House Civil Justice Committee.
“While the Executive Order provides flexibility and a critical path to make certain our student-athletes and institutions in Ohio are on a fair and level playing field with those in other states, [House Bill] 660 will provide the necessary statutory framework needed as the NCAA and several athletic conferences, including the Big Ten, finalize the House vs. NCAA Settlement agreement,” Bjork said.
House Bill 660 would authorize universities to pay student-athletes for use of NIL and allow athletes to receive professional representation. It would stop the NCAA or a conference from penalizing a school for paying players and protect a school’s trademark.
The bill passed unanimously in the House and now heads to the Senate
But time is running out.
Any potential legislation must be passed by both the House and Senate before the end of this month, or it would have to be reintroduced and January and start over.
The last scheduled session for the Senate is Dec. 18. The House has a session also planned for Dec. 18 and another for Dec. 19, if needed.