California governor passes bill to pay NCAA student athletes

Gavin+Newsom+discusses+Fair+Pay+to+Play+Act.+%E2%80%9CEvery+single+student+in+the+university+can+market+their+name%2C+image+and+likeness%3B+they+can+go+and+get+a+YouTube+channel%2C+and+they+can+monetize+that.+The+only+group+that+can%E2%80%99t+are+athletes.+Why+is+that%3F%E2%80%9D+Newsom+said.

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Gavin Newsom discusses Fair Pay to Play Act. “Every single student in the university can market their name, image and likeness; they can go and get a YouTube channel, and they can monetize that. The only group that can’t are athletes. Why is that?” Newsom said.

Holly Esposito, Team Leader

On September 30, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that gave NCAA student athletes the right to earn money through endorsements and hire agents for representation.

This bill, also known as the Fair Pay to Play Act, does not force colleges to pay their athletes, but gives them a right to earn money from businesses and sponsorship deals.

The bill is not supposed to take effect until January 1, 2023, and now other states like Oregon and Maryland are considering signing the bill as well.

The Fair Pay to Play Act contradicts the NCAA’s belief that “college athletes should earn a degree, not money, for playing sports.” However, the NCAA is considering new rules based on endorsements and paying athletes.

“Every single student in the university can market their name, image and likeness; they can go and get a YouTube channel, and they can monetize that. The only group that can’t are athletes. Why is that?” Newsom said. 

According to the NCAA, “Fewer than 2 percent of NCAA student-athletes go on to be professional athletes. In reality, most student-athletes depend on academics to prepare them for life after college.”

Former Stanford volleyball player Hayley Hodson gave her opinion on the new bill. “College is the only time they [student athletes] have to profit off their hard-earned athletic successes,” Hodson said.

However, other college athletes feel differently and do not support the bill. Michael Pittman Jr., a wide receiver for USC’s football team, hopes to continue in his father’s footsteps who was a running back in the NFL. “I think it would be great for players to get paid, but honestly, that’s way past me. I’m just going to keep playing every week until I reach that level that actually pays me,” Pittman said.

Lebron James was a vocalist on the topic as well. “NCAA, you got the next move. We can solve this for everyone!” James said.