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Florida rep files legislation similar to Fair Pay to Play Act

Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Florida state representative Kionne McGhee proposed a bill on Monday aimed at allowing college athletes to be compensated for the use of their names, images, and likenesses.

The legislation was filed on the same day that California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Fair Pay to Play Act during an appearance on LeBron James' HBO show, "The Shop." The act would allow athletes in the state to make money from endorsement deals.

McGhee's House Bill 251 would go into effect July 1, 2020, while The Fair Pay to Play Act will be law beginning Jan. 1, 2023.

"Authorizes students participating in intercollegiate athletics to receive specified compensation; provides requirements for specified students, postsecondary educational institutions, certain organizations, and specified representatives; and creates Florida College System Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness Task Force," McGhee's legislation reads.

In a Sept. 20 release announcing his bill, McGhee said the NCAA currently defining college athletes as amateurs "is a holdover from decades ago and doesn't accurately reflect modern college athletics," according to WUSF News.

“The NCAA regularly earns more than $1 billion per year, but these student-athletes aren’t allowed to accept a bag of groceries,” McGhee said.

“Many of these kids aren’t from families that can afford to send them money, but they're sports superstars and household names. That's not fair. It's time we allowed these adults the ability to earn a living for themselves and their families while they make a fortune for others and entertain millions of fans."

Florida joins a growing group of states that have proposed legislation on the issue.

In September, New York state senator Kevin Parker introduced a bill that would require colleges in the state to pay a 15% share of athletic department revenue to student-athletes.

The NCAA strongly opposes the Fair Pay to Play Act and similar bills.

In a statement on Monday, the NCAA said the differing state-to-state legislation "will make unattainable the goal of providing a fair and level playing field" for college sports.

- With h/t to Sports Illustrated

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