KENTUCKY — Thanks to a new executive order signed in June by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, college student-athletes in the Commonwealth can now make money off the use of their name, image and likeness, more commonly known as NIL.

The order came after all nine Supreme Court justices ruled that the NCAA could not legally bar athletes from receiving education-related benefits like computers and paid internships.

The NCAA wanted to keep its rules limiting benefits for student-athletes, arguing those restrictions help to maintain the amateur essence of college sports.

The case did not address larger questions surrounding athlete compensation, but the ruling will likely add energy to a movement that’s already underway across the country.

Several states have adopted laws allowing athletes to benefit from endorsement deals including Kentucky.

Beshear signed the executive order June 24 to allow name, image and likeness compensation for college athletes effective July 1, making Kentucky the first state to do so via executive order.

Six other states passed their own legislation that was later signed by their respective governors— Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas and New Mexico.

“Today’s step was done in cooperation with all of our public universities as well as leadership of both parties,” Beshear said after signing the executive order at the Capitol. “This action ensures we are not at a competitive disadvantage in recruiting, and also that our student-athletes have the same rights and opportunities as those in other states. For any individual athlete, their name, image and likeness are their own and no one else’s.”

During this In Focus Kentucky segment, athletic directors at Kentucky's major universities discuss how they are working behind the scenes on what NIL deals will look like as they hope to help all student-athletes maximize their NIL rights.