Ohio name, image and likeness bill takes another step toward passage

Ohio’s bill to allow college athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness is getting closer to reality.

Senate Bill 187 passed out of the House State and Local Government committee Wednesday and is scheduled to be voted on by the full house Thursday.

The bill, which is sponsored by State Sen. Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg), has already passed the state senate so it would then be ready for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s signature.

It also includes an emergency clause that, if passed, would allow the bill to go into effect by July 1. That date has been targeted because several other states have similar laws already approved that will become effective at that time.

Ohio State football coach Ryan Day told committee members Tuesday he could see “disastrous” consequences in recruiting if the bill weren’t passed with the emergency clause.

Without the clause, it would go into effect 90 days after being signed.

Under the proposed law, college athletes in the state would not be required to do anything, but their schools would be prohibited from blocking them from seeking endorsements or taking on professional representation.

“I am grateful to the House State and Local Government Committee for their vote to pass this bill that will help so many student athletes,” Antani said in a news release. “We are so close now to getting this life changing bill into law.”

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