Texas colleges could soon pay their student athletes.
With the NCAA expected to end its decades-old prohibition on universities paying players directly, Texas lawmakers authored a bill to change state law and allow schools to do so.
Under House Bill 126, which is awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature, colleges could enter into name, image and likeness agreements with their athletes. Current state law allows students to have NIL agreements only with third-party brands.
The bill would allow athletes 17 or older to be paid after they have enrolled in college, but it would not extend the provision to high school students.
Schools could provide a total of $20.5 million to their athletes annually, and they would be able to use it as a tool to recruit high school athletes as well, which is not allowed under current rules.
University leaders told lawmakers the legislation is necessary to attract talent to the state and keep homegrown talent under the expected NCAA changes.
Abbott has until June 22 to sign or veto bills. If signed, the NIL law would take effect Sept. 1.