Georgia's Name, Image, and Likeness bill signed into law by Brian Kemp

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The state of Georgia has joined the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) fray. Governor Brian Kemp signed the NIL Bill (House Bill 617) into law on Thursday in an event held at the University of Georgia's recruiting lounge in the west end of Sanford Stadium. The bill gives collegiate athletes in the Peach State the ability to profit off their own Name, Image, and Likeness.

A summary of the bill reads: "A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to postsecondary education, so as to provide that student athletes participating in intercollegiate athletic programs at postsecondary educational institutions may receive compensation for the use of the student athlete's name, image, or likeness; to provide for application to intercollegiate athletic associations; to allow for professional representation of such student athletes participating in intercollegiate athletics; to provide for findings; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes."

According to Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald, Kemp stated that his hope in signing the bill is that it will help Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs win a National Championship. The language of the bill gives schools the ability to withhold earnings until up to a year after the student-athlete's playing career is over. According to Seth Emerson of The Athletic, UGA is not planning on making its student-athletes wait. They'll be compensated immediately.

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