Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order on Tuesday that effectively allows state colleges and universities to directly pay student-athletes.
The executive order comes as the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) and other athletic conferences battle in litigation on the issue of student-athletes being financially compensated for the use of name, image of likeness, or NIL.
“Until the Settlement is approved and effective, legislative and executive actions across the country create a patchwork of inconsistent rules regulating intercollegiate athletics,” read the order. “Student-athletes in the State of Georgia should compete on a level playing field and not forgo compensation available to student-athletes in other states while the Settlement is pending.”
The order attempts to protect Georgia colleges from being punished by the NCAA or any other organization for getting compensation for their athletes. It also prevents state funds from being used as payments for the players and their NIL deals, likely meaning the money would come from private donations.
The order will remain in effect until “the effective date of any federal law enacted after the date of this Order regulating the rights of student-athletes to receive compensation for the use of their NIL, or the effective date of any settlement related to the Litigation.”
