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Sports Court #30 | Oklahoma is OK
The fastest 3 minutes in name, image and likeness
Tariq Ahmad
May 26, 2023
Today’s Case
Oklahoma Legislature overrides Governor Kevin Stitt's veto of NIL bill
Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State football (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Last month, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt vetoed Senate Bill 840, which amends the state’s Student Athlete Name, Image and Likeness Rights Act. (He also vetoed nearly two dozen other bills last month as well, so his intentions were not NIL-related.)
However, yesterday, the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly overrode the veto with a combined 120-15 vote. And since this was an emergency measure and the state’s ¾ths requirement of each house to override the veto was met, this bill goes into effect immediately.
The law will provide institutions in Oklahoma protection from potential NCAA enforcement regarding NIL activities, and a college athletic association and its members shall not entertain a complaint, open an investigation or take any other adverse action against an institution for engaging in any NIL activity that’s protected by law.
University of Oklahoma Athletics Director Joe Castiglione: “We’re incredibly grateful for the support of our state leaders and their help in ensuring Oklahoma can remain competitive in the ever-changing world of college athletics. Now, we at OU – as well as universities across the state – can provide even greater guidance and support to our student-athletes as they work to benefit from the use of their own Name, Image and Likeness.”
The Verdict:
This is a big deal not only in Oklahoma, but other states looking to pass similar NIL bills
Lawmakers in Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, New York and Texas have also sponsored or passed these types of bills - and thinking more states will pass similar legislation in the near future.
Arguably THE most interesting facet is that this bill blocks the NCAA from investigating NIL deals.
While schools and collectives should act in good faith, having a buffer from executing questionable activities with no penalty is eye-opening.
The value of collectives grows even more
Will this new bill being passed, collectives are now allowed to compensate current and prospective athletes, which was previously a prohibition. Athletic departments are now legally permitted to support preferred collectives as well.
Additionally, imagine a collective securing a payment for a high school junior with the intention that said athlete will play there.
Good timing for OU moving to the SEC in 2024
With football being the main beneficiary of NIL (in terms of number of deals and dollar amount) and the SEC being the premier college football conference, this will position OU to compete with those powerhouse schools for dollars and recruits.
How do I get started?
This is the #1 question I get asked from athletes regarding NIL. I provide two suggestions in this video!
Question of the Day
Which college sport (besides football and basketball) is best primed for NIL success?
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