Bill > SB482

This bill amends Montana state law to establish clear guidelines for student-athlete rights, particularly regarding name, image, and likeness (NIL) contracts. The legislation requires that any contract related to a college athlete's NIL must be in writing and protects student-athletes' rights to earn compensation and retain professional representation. Postsecondary institutions and athletic associations are prohibited from preventing students from exercising these rights, penalizing athletes for doing so, or preventing their participation in sports. The bill mandates that student-athletes disclose NIL contracts to their institution and ensures that such contracts cannot conflict with team rules or existing institutional contracts. Importantly, the institution cannot provide compensation for a student-athlete's NIL, but can include provisions in scholarship agreements to use the athlete's name, image, and likeness. The bill also adds a new requirement that NIL agreements must be in writing to be considered valid, aligning contract law with these new student-athlete protections. These changes aim to provide more transparency and protection for college athletes in Montana when engaging in NIL contracts, effective June 1, 2025.