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Michigan House passes bill allowing student-athletes to profit off name, image and likeness

The bill passed on Wednesday will open new doors for student-athletes both in and entering college

May 27, 2020
<p>Lansing Capitol building on Sept. 19, 2019. </p>

Lansing Capitol building on Sept. 19, 2019.

Photo by Connor Desilets | The State News

The Michigan House approved legislation on Wednesday that would allow student-athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness.

In February, Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit, proposed the idea to lawmakers. The bill, Senate 660, would allow athletes to profit off their likeness “as young as you want to start playing," according to MLive.

The bill that passed on Wednesday wasn't Senate 660, it was House Bill 5218 proposed by State Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit. The bill would accompany HB 5217 and will create a new act “prohibiting state colleges, universities and certain athletic orgs from preventing a college athlete from receiving compensation for the use of his/her name, image or likeness rights.”

HB 5217 will prevent post-secondary education, athletic associations or conferences from actions that will withhold student-athletes from profiting off their likeness and HB 5218 "would repeal a section of law that makes it a criminal offense for an athlete agent to contract with a college athlete and another section that allows a college to sue a person who gives or promises gifts or services to a college athlete or prospective college athlete if the college suffers harm."

H.B. 5218 passed with flying colors, garnering 97 yeas and 12 nays. The bill will now move into the Senate.

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