California Gov. Gavin Newsom Vetoes NIL Bill That Would Provide Transparency

Since collegiate athletes were able to profit off their name, image and likeness (NIL), there have been numerous discussions about ways in which NIL should be policed.

A California bill that would force transparency in NIL deals, providing much-needed structure to the current college football landscape, made it to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk Monday.

California governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the NIL bill

The California Senate passed an NIL bill to make NIL collectives in the state release information regarding deals with athletes.

The bill, SB906, was passed unanimously. It would have forced the collectives in the state to communicate details about deals with athletes that are in excess of $5,000. The collectives would have to tell the schools at which the athletes would be in attendance how much compensation they are giving the athlete in question, the name of the team and the athlete’s gender.

State Senator Nancy Skinner, who introduced the bill, explained why she thought it had value in an article from On3.

“SB 206 sparked a revolution in the multibillion-dollar industry of college sports,” Skinner said in a statement. “Today, student-athletes across the country are receiving compensation for their talent and hard work. That’s great news.

“But there has also been an increase in college sports boosters forming so-called ‘collectives’ and other strategies that appear to be benefitting men and once again shortchanging women athletes. SB 906 will shine a light on NIL and give us a better understanding of NIL’s impact on gender equity in college sports.”

Newsom drew the ire of many college football fans with his veto. Fans who have watched college football for years are now watching the landscape of one of their favorite sports change drastically after every season.

Regardless of whether they are on board with NIL and the current state of the transfer portal, most college football fans want regulation in what many consider the “Wild West” era of NIL. Others are happy with the decision to veto as they think it will keep power away from the NCAA and its universities.

As @PeteNakos_ reported, this California bill was vetoed by Gavin Newsom.

It would’ve required NIL collectives to share deal data with schools & the data would’ve been made public.

Schools also would’ve had to publicly reveal rev sharing data.

Assume schools asked for veto. https://t.co/WMG71r6ylG pic.twitter.com/BRM16qjLgi

— Mit Winter (@WinterSportsLaw) September 30, 2024

He’s a loser.

— College Football Alerts  (@CFBAlerts_) September 30, 2024

Why🙄

— NKY Bracket Guy (@BracketNky) September 30, 2024

I love it! Let the boosters make their own deals. I don’t want a university trying to govern where and how I spend my dollars for my favorite team.

— TonyThePodBoss (@TonythePodBoss) September 30, 2024

I love Sen. Skinner, but I think I am glad this got vetoed.

— Andy Schwarz, sponsored by Envelopes of Cash (@andyhre) October 1, 2024

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