Bill > S4439

This bill establishes comprehensive protections for student-athletes at four-year institutions of higher education with athletic scholarships regarding their ability to earn compensation through their name, image, and likeness (NIL). The legislation allows student-athletes to earn money from NIL opportunities without facing penalties from their institutions or athletic organizations, with one key restriction that athletes under 21 cannot earn compensation from alcohol, tobacco, electronic smoking, or cannabis-related entities. The bill also permits institutions and their related entities to directly contract with student-athletes for NIL compensation and ensures that student-athletes can obtain professional representation from licensed attorneys or athlete agents who must act in a fiduciary capacity. Additionally, the bill prevents athletic associations and organizations from penalizing institutions or student-athletes for NIL activities, provides a legal remedy if such penalties are threatened, and requires institutions to offer educational programming on NIL opportunities, financial literacy, and life skills. The legislation repeals the previous "New Jersey Fair Play Act" and keeps the contracts confidential under public records laws, effectively giving student-athletes more freedom and financial opportunities while maintaining professional standards and protections.

Education

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4439