Youngkin signs law undercutting NCAA by letting colleges pay athletes directly

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) has signed a law that will bring college athletes closer to becoming de facto employees of the universities where they attend.

The Virginia legislation will grant colleges the chance to pay athletes directly through name, image, and likeness deals, undercutting the NCAA’s rule on colleges paying athletes directly via NIL guidelines. Normally, NIL deals are between athletes and local/national businesses, though many universities have NIL “collectives” that help athletes find opportunities.