California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 206 on Monday. The bill, which was signed on LeBron James’ HBO show “The Shop,” allows college athletes in the state to profit off of their name, image and/or likeness.
With the bill being signed, it sets a precedent of states going against the NCAA and allowing students to make money.
Earlier in the week, Texas head coach Tom Herman commented on the bill.
"I don’t know the specifics, so for me to comment would be way too premature,” Herman said. “I have been on record saying that we need to get student athletes more for their name and image and likeness.”
Although Herman wasn’t completely up to speed, his star quarterback was.
“I think it’s a great start. I still believe that players should benefit off their likeness and things of that nature,” junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger said. “Unfortunately, I know the bill isn’t supposed to see any progress until 2023, so I don’t really dive into the details of what should happen or what states should do, but I do believe that it’s a step in the right direction.”
The debate to allow college athletes the ability to be paid will continue. Opposers of such theory believe that a scholarship is enough compensation. Also, with money being added to players’ pockets, the idea of amateurism goes into question. However, Ehlinger believes both sides are true.
“I will never take for granted the scholarship … because we’re obviously incredibly blessed with that,” Ehlinger said. ”And I don’t necessarily believe the institutions should compensate (college athletes) because they’re doing their job providing kids educations that wouldn’t have had that opportunity, and I think the universities are doing a great job on that aspect.”
His reasoning for his support of the bill was straightforward.
“There’s so much attention, time and value that young athletes and student athletes put into their lives, dedicating four, five years of their college lives, and the industry is so popular,” Ehlinger said. “Every other industry in the world, you get paid for your value. I believe that should be equal everywhere.”
