Oklahoma Lawmakers Pass NIL Bill, Awaiting Governor Stitt's Signature

STILLWATER – Big news for college athletics in the state of Oklahoma as the Oklahoma State Government passed a Name, Image and Likeness bill on Tuesday.

The bill cleared the House by a vote of 81-11 on Tuesday and 43-3 in the Senate last week. Student-athletes would be able to hire an agent and make money off their name, image and likeness beginning July 1 if Gov. Kevin Stitt gives his approval and signs the bill.

"There was definitely a sense of urgency," Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville said. "We certainly didn't want to get to July and have any of our student-athletes accepting invitations to move to other schools because [other states] had passed this."

Oklahoma became the 17th state to pass similar NIL bills which allow student-athletes to make money of their name, image and likeness. It becomes the first state with member schools in the Big 12 to do so, but it’s said that both Kansas and Texas are exploring similar bills as well.

It’s important to note the bill doesn’t allow the athletes to be paid by the universities, but rather by endorsements, sponsorships, advertisements, personal appearances and other similar deals.

"They are certainly not being paid to play," Daniels said.

According to a report by The Oklahoman, athletes would not be allowed to use the “school’s logos in advertisements or marketing, or enter into any contract that would conflict with any school’s contract.” The athlete would also be required to notify the university if they hired an agent, and they wouldn’t be allowed to endorse or use a product that promotes sports gambling or banned substances.

It’s also important to remember everything about NIL is contingent on what the NCAA decides. The NCAA governing body is expected to pass legislation sometime in June which would allow athletes to benefit financially on their name, image and likeness, with the rule going into effect July 1.