Virginia’s NIL Law: A Game-Changer for College Athletics in the Commonwealth and Across the Nation

Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia has signed a bill into law that will allow schools in the state to directly pay college athletes for their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights. This law, effective July 1, will make it illegal for the NCAA to penalize schools for compensating athletes in this way. With this legislation, colleges in Virginia are now free to sign athletes to NIL deals without the need for separate collectives.

The impact of this law could be substantial for college athletics in Virginia and across the country. By offering NIL compensation, colleges in Virginia will have an advantage in recruiting student-athletes over those in other states where such payments are currently prohibited. This may push the NCAA to expedite changes to its NIL rules nationwide.

NCAA president Charlie Baker has proposed possible changes to allow all schools to pay athletes through NIL deals, but these changes require a vote from Division I athletics members. With Virginia’s law now in effect, it is likely that these members will be more inclined to address the issue sooner rather than later. Until a decision is made on the national level, colleges in Virginia will enjoy the benefits of offering NIL compensation to their student-athletes.