Michigan lawmakers push bill to protect college athletes’ name, image and likeness rights

LANSING,Mich.,(WPBN/WGTU)—Michiganlawmakersareadvancingabillaimedatsafeguardingcollegeathletes’rightstoearnmoneyfromtheirname,image,andlikeness(NIL).Theproposedlegislation,HouseBill4643,seekstopreventtheNCAAandotherorganizationsfromcappingtheearningsofstudent-athletesinMichiganthroughNILdeals. TomDieters,aformerMichiganStateUniversitybaseballplayerandcurrentpresidentofCharitableGiftAmerica,emphasizedtheimportanceofthebill.“Rightnow,theschoolsarebreakingthelawsinthestateofMichiganbecausetheyarelimitingkidsonwhattheycanearn,”hesaid.“Ourbillsaysthereisnolimit.Theycanearnwhateverthefreemarketwillbear.” Thebill,introducedbyDemocraticRepresentativeJoeTate,aformerMSUfootballplayer,alsoaimstoensurethatstudent-athletesarenotrequiredtopubliclydisclosetheirNILearningsandprohibitstheNCAAfrompenalizingMichiganschoolsorathletesinvolvedinNILdeals. Dietershighlightedthepotentialcom