College athletes who have their images or likenesses used in different settings could be financially compensated if a bill introduced by Kansas Senate Vice President and 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia gains final approval.
Longbine says this is geared towards endorsements and does not involve “pay for play.” He also says it’s meant to level the playing field, pardon the pun, for college athletes in Kansas with 15 other states either moving in that direction or already passing legislation to that effect.
Longbine says attorneys for the state’s NCAA Division I schools, including Kansas, Kansas State and Wichita State, wrote the bill — which is still in the drafting and proofing stage — while other universities, including Emporia State, have taken a look at the early proposal. Athletes would receive “limited” compensation if their image or likeness is used in a retail or “competitive business environment.”
Longbine also says this effort has to remain separate from ongoing efforts to finalize sports gaming legislation because of NCAA rules. Sports gaming discussions now focus on allowing sports betting at state casinos or through a mobile app. Longbine says the bills will be introduced in different committees and at different times so there will be no links between those pieces of legislation.
