Warren-Clinton News

On Tuesday, the House Civil Justice Committee began hearings on House Bill 660, a piece of legislation aimed at strengthening Ohio's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) laws. The bill was introduced by State Representatives Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville).

The proposed legislation seeks to address the current legal ambiguities between NIL collectives and state universities by allowing these institutions to officially collaborate in compensating student-athletes.

"Currently, there's a legal gray area between the collectives and universities, which puts student-athletes in an odd situation," stated Mathews. "By allowing collectives to work directly with universities, we can ensure contracts are managed well and students receive the compensation they deserve."

Edwards emphasized the importance of simplifying the NIL process: "By streamlining the NIL process, this legislation ensures that universities are not forced to jump through bureaucratic hoops to support the athletes that compete for them so proudly."

In related developments, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an Executive Order on Monday permitting institutions to pay student-athletes directly.

Mathews commented on this move: "After looking at other states, especially in the SEC, we should again codify and bolster the Governor’s Executive Order to eliminate red tape, legislative issues, and legal problems so our athletes can succeed."

House Bill 660 is set for further review by the House Civil Justice Committee.