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Committee advances bill allowing universities to compensate student athletes for name, image and likeness (NIL) and revenue share
Summary
SB1615 would bar athletic associations from prohibiting postsecondary institutions from compensating student athletes for their name, image and likeness and from sharing NIL‑derived institutional revenue; the committee gave it a due‑pass recommendation after universities and athletic administrators urged clarity amid national uncertainty.
The Senate Education Committee on Feb. 11 gave a due‑pass recommendation to SB1615, a bill that would prohibit athletic associations or conferences from preventing a public postsecondary institution from compensating student athletes for use of their name, image and likeness (NIL), and would allow institutions to share NIL‑related revenue with athletes.
Proponents: Grand Canyon University athletics vice president Jamie Boggs urged passage and said the bill would allow Arizona institutions to remain competitive with schools in other states that already permit direct NIL compensation and revenue sharing. Sponsor Senator TJ Shope said the bill updates Arizona law to reflect the evolving NIL landscape and to provide clarity for athletic departments.
Key provision: The bill specifies that receipt of NIL compensation does not, by itself, classify a student athlete as an employee of the institution for other employment‑law purposes.
Discussion: Witnesses said the national legal and regulatory landscape remains unsettled, with pending federal legislation, litigation and NCAA settlement issues. Schools asked for clear, workable statutory language to avoid accreditation or employment conflicts; sponsors said further stakeholder work would continue.
Outcome: The committee gave SB1615 a due‑pass recommendation; testimony and sponsor remarks indicated ongoing stakeholder meetings and potential floor amendments before final passage.
