The Georgia State House of Representatives has taken a big step to protect high school student-athletes from predatory name, image, and likeness (NIL) contracts. House Bill 383, called the “Georgia High School NIL Protection Act,” is meant to make sure these young athletes don’t get stuck in long-term deals that could hurt their future earnings.
This legislation, written by District 28 Representative Brent Cox, has support from both political parties. It requires that NIL contracts end when a student graduates or leaves high school. The bill is now headed to the Georgia State Senate for the next round of approval.
Overview of the Georgia High School NIL Protection Act
House Bill 383 is all about protecting Georgia’s high school athletes. Any NIL contract they sign will automatically expire when they graduate or leave high school.
The Georgia State House passed the bill unanimously, with a vote of 171-0. Representative Brent Cox from Dawsonville wrote the bill, and it picked up bipartisan support, including from Representative Dewey McClain of Gwinnett County.
The Need for NIL Protection
The bill came about because of worries over NIL contracts that could follow athletes into college or even professional sports. Representative Cox pointed to a real case—a Georgia high school football player was offered a contract where the agent would get 10 percent of his earnings, with no end date.
That contract could have followed the player long after high school, eating into his future income. It’s a pretty clear example of why this law is needed.
Bipartisan Support and Legislative Journey
The bill has strong bipartisan backing. Representative Dewey McClain voiced his support, saying it’s important for student-athletes to have a chance to earn as much as possible.
He called the legislation overdue and crucial for protecting young athletes in Georgia.
Legislative Process and Next Steps
Now that the House has passed the bill, it’s moving to the Georgia State Senate. If the Senate agrees, it’ll go to Governor Brian Kemp for a signature.
If the governor signs it, the law will apply to NIL contracts entered into from that date forward.
Implications for High School Student-Athletes
If it becomes law, the Georgia High School NIL Protection Act will help shield student-athletes from getting locked into bad NIL deals. Contracts will end at graduation, giving athletes a clean slate as they move to college and a chance to make new choices about their NIL rights.
Maximizing Earning Potential
The main goal here? Letting student-athletes maximize what they can earn. By stopping long-term NIL contracts from sticking around after high school, the bill gives athletes the freedom to rethink their options as their careers take off.
This matters a lot, especially for those who might land big opportunities at the college or professional level. It’s not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Conclusion
The Georgia High School NIL Protection Act just sailed through the state house with unanimous support. That says a lot about how folks feel about shielding young athletes from shady contracts.
If the Georgia State Senate gives it the green light and Governor Brian Kemp signs off, this law could make a real difference for high school student-athletes. It’ll give them more room to decide what happens with their NIL rights as they move forward in their sports journeys.
Curious about the details? Check out the full article on the Georgia High School NIL Protection Act.
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