There’s a renewed, bipartisan effort to allow college athletes in Tennessee to get endorsement deals.
The legislative package would also provide funds for those who have graduated but haven’t gone pro.
The legislation faces an uphill battle, especially when some athletic directors in Tennessee have deferred to the NCAA. The organization has said they want to allow student-athletes to earn compensation, but the timeline it’s unclear.
Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis, is one of the sponsors of the bills (SB1636/HB1649 and SB1767/HB1710). He has pushed for similar legislation in previous legislative sessions.
“I stand on the fact that the NCAA is an organization, they have their rules but none of the rules of the NCAA trumps state law,” Parkinson said. “The NCAA made a billion dollars last year. These colleges and universities made millions of dollars last year. … They would not have made one, single, damn dime if they didn’t have the college athletes.”
Parkinson told reporters Tuesday the legislative package would encourage student-athletes to graduate and encourage recruitment by state universities. The bills would allow current athletes to get paid for the use of their names and images. They would also create a fund for college athletes who don’t go professional.
That’s something that former Vanderbilt’s defensive tackle Alphonso Harvey said would be of significant help to those graduating.
“As a student-athlete, it is a wonderful experience. When you come out you have to deal with that transition to real life,” said Harvey, who graduated in 1999. “You go from playing in front of millions to the reality of life.”
Harvey also questioned whether universities are doing enough for student athletes financially.
“Are you been appropriately placed when you leave?” Harvey asked. “Are you getting the opportunity to do better than if you never came there?”
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