Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis will back a bill to allow college athletes to be paid in Florida, following California, which passed similar legislation earlier this month.
The Florida state legislature is considering a bill that would allow student-athletes to make a profit when their name or likeness is used. Current NCAA rules prohibit athletes from profiting while playing as a student.
DeSantis, 41, noted that he expects the NCAA to object and acknowledged that there are some “issues” with the policy that must be hammered out, but he felt it was important to allow players to receive part of the revenue made off their name.
“I’m confident those issues can be addressed in a way that will maintain college athletics as really special thing but also provide the ability for our student-athletes to be able to benefit just like anybody else would be able to benefit,” DeSantis stated.
California passed similar legislation earlier in the month, making the state the first in the nation. DeSantis claimed that adding the “powerhouse” Florida schools to the California universities allowing pay could force the NCAA to “reevaluate” its position.
Florida’s bill has bipartisan support, with Democratic House Minority Leader Kionne McGee saying, “We’re sick and tired of the hypocrisy within a classroom setting where young athletes are taught about capitalism and taught about the free market but are being told, on the other hand, they cannot participate because they have a gift.”
College athletics is an issue close to DeSantis. He was captain of Yale’s baseball team when he attended the university.
