COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new bill is being introduced in the Ohio Statehouse, aimed to help college athletes and move collegiate athletics into the future.

What You Need To Know

  • A bill has been introduced to allow compensation for college athletes for their name, image and likeness

  • If passed the bill will go into effect July 1

  • Ohio State AD Gene Smith is strongly backing the bill

  • The University of Cincinnati is also in support of student rights for profit on name, image and likeness

State Sen. Niraj Antani and Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith unveiled the bill that would make it legal for college athletes to earn compensation from their name, image and likeness.

Antani and Smith went over the parameters of this new bill and what it can do for college athletes at a press conference at Ohio State — from appearing at youth training camps and signing autographs to even being spokesperson for advertisements. 

Antani said it is long overdue. 

“We are in fact only one of 11 states in America who have taken no legislative step towards name, image and likeness ownership for student athletes,” Antani said. “That changes today.”  

Antani said 16 states have already passed similar legislation.

Smith said this ranks this at the top of the pyramid of importance for him.

“I want to make it happen,” Smith said. “It’s going to be scary, there’s going to be a lot of moving parts, but we got to get it done.” 

With the harsh reality being that not all student-athletes play professionally, Smith said this new legislation has the power to create generational wealth for students and their families. 

“There will be a number of student athletes who will change their families’ lives, and the pressures of trying to pay the bills of higher education, I can’t stress that enough,” Smith said.

OSU Women’s Volleyball Coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg said she and her team will be excited to see what happens during the next month. 

But for her ladies, she said the possibilities are endless, especially with the power of social media.

“How creative can they be to use their name image and likeness in order to present themselves to the world, she said. “I just feel like it’s exciting and a great opportunity for all student-athletes.” 

Antani didn't say if he has the votes needed to pass the bill, but is confident it will. 

“It has to pass,” Antani said. “Frankly it’s a priority of mine. I think that when you have the athletic director of The Ohio State University standing next to you underlines the importance.” 

Smith said the new bill is not pay for play, but does say if passed this would be a big step forward for college athletics. 

If passed, it would go into effect on July 1.