Senate Bill 206 (SB 206), known as “The Fair Pay to Play Act,” unanimously passed the state Senate Wednesday and is now expected to head to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, according to officials.

Under SB 206, California’s student-athletes would be free to seek financial compensation for the use of their name, image or likeness, with some restrictions, according to officials.

Additionally, the bill would allow student-athletes to obtain professional representation relating to their participation in intercollegiate athletics.

These representatives would be required to be licenced by the state and to comply with federal law in their relationships with student-athletes, according to the bill’s text.

The bill received wide bi-partisan support, as it passed both the Assembly and Senate unanimously in its most recent form. 

SB 206 also received outside support along the way from athletes such as LeBron James and Draymond Green, and national politicians such as Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders.

“LeBron James is right — this is a game-changer for college athletes. California will no longer tolerate the NCAA — which is a billion-dollar industry — treating our student-athletes like they are chattel,” said State Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, who is also a co-author of SB 206. “These young men and women deserve every opportunity to benefit financially from their hard work, just like any other talented young person.”

Some limitations are in place on the types of deals students may participate in. For example, student-athletes may not sign sponsorships that undermine their school’s existing endorsements, according to officials.

The NCAA and a number of California schools previously emerged in opposition to the bill.

In a letter to legislators last June, NCAA President Mark Emmert pointed out the possibility that California schools would not be permitted to compete for national titles.

However, the bill would prohibit the NCAA from banning California universities from intercollegiate sports if their athletes sign sponsorship deals, and prohibit California schools from enforcing the NCAA’s rules prohibiting student-athletes from earning compensation.

If the bill were to pass into law, it would not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2023, offering NCAA and government officials three years to work through any potential problems.

The bill is available in its entirety here.

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