California was the first state to pass a name, image and likeness law for its college athletes, but Florida will be the first to see theirs go into action.
California's Fair Pay to Play Act became state law on Sept. 30, 2019, when governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 206 on LeBron's HBO show Uninterrupted.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed his state's copycat bill into law on Friday -- with one major difference. Florida's law goes into effect on July 1, 2021, twelve and a half months from today. DeSantis announced the signing of the law inside Miami's indoor facility. The governor quickly pivoted the bill into a recruiting opportunity for The U, as well as Florida, Florida State, UCF, South Florida, FIU, FAU and each of the Sunshine State's divisional schools.
That part there will hit the accelerator on an already urgent push by the NCAA to get Congress to pass a national NIL law. The fact that, unless something changes, Florida can offer an inducement that Alabama cannot, that FSU and Miami can offer something Clemson can't match, is a nightmare for a national organization like the NCAA.
Despite the fact that the NCAA has zero leverage over the situation, NCAA leaders have reportedly pushed Congress for an antitrust exemption, similar to one enjoyed by the Big 4 professional leagues. Lawmakers have been skeptical, at best, of the argument the NCAA needs or deserves such a clause, and now the clock is tick, tick, ticking on the NCAA to get something done.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.