The Utah Legislature has passed a groundbreaking law that allows universities in the state to directly pay their athletes for the use of their name, image, and likeness, without considering them as university employees. The legislation, known as HB479, also includes provisions for universities to develop policies against abusive coaching practices. This bill, which awaits the governor’s signature to become effective on May 7, ensures that Utah schools remain competitive in college athletics.
In light of the upcoming nationwide anti-trust settlement that aims to establish a revenue-sharing model in college sports, the new law allows universities to pay their athletes for NIL regardless of the outcome of the settlement. The bill also prohibits the use of legislative funds, tuition, or fees to compensate athletes and requires audits every five years to track the spending of NIL money.
Additionally, the legislation removes the requirement for athletes to submit NIL contracts over $600 to their schools for review and prevents schools from impeding athletes’ participation in sports due to hiring an agent. The bill also addresses the issue of transparency in the use of public funds, particularly regarding NIL payments, which some argue should be treated as public records.
Moreover, the bill is part of a larger effort to address abusive coaching practices in college sports by mandating universities to establish policies against such behaviors and providing mechanisms for responding to complaints. This provision comes in response to allegations of misconduct in the University of Utah gymnastics program, highlighting the importance of protecting student-athletes from harm within their collegiate athletic environments.
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