The proposed bill, HB25-1041, seeks to expand the rights of student-athletes in Colorado regarding the compensation for the use of their name, image, or likeness (NIL). Key provisions include:
Expanded Definition of Student-Athlete:
The bill broadens the definition to include individuals who are eligible to engage in or may be eligible in the future to engage in any intercollegiate sport.
Institutional Compensation:
It permits institutions of higher education or athletic associations to compensate student-athletes for the use of their NIL.
Contractual Provisions:
The bill repeals the existing prohibition that prevents student-athletes from entering into contracts that conflict with team contracts, thereby allowing greater flexibility in NIL agreements.
Exemption from Public Disclosure:
It exempts agreements or contracts concerning a student-athlete's NIL from the public right of inspection under the Colorado Open Records Act, thereby protecting the privacy of these agreements.
These changes aim to provide student-athletes with more autonomy and financial opportunities related to their NIL, aligning with broader trends in collegiate athletics.
Summary
Under current law, there are requirements of an athletic
association, an institution of higher education, and a student athlete regarding a student athlete's compensation for their name, image, or likeness. The bill extends these requirements to an individual who is eligible to engage in or may be eligible in the future to engage in any intercollegiate sport. The bill allows an institution of higher education or athletic
association to compensate a student athlete for the use of the student athlete's name, image, or likeness.
Under current law, a student athlete is prohibited from entering
into a contract if it conflicts with a team contract. The bill repeals this prohibition and related provisions.
Under the Colorado Open Records Act, the bill exempts from the
public right of inspection an agreement or contract concerning a student athlete's name, image, or likeness, or any communication or material related to an agreement or a contract concerning a student athlete's name, image, or likeness.
