Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB1048

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/24
• Refer: 2/2/24
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Name, image, and likeness compensation for students at institutions of higher education.

Impact

The bill's enactment is expected to have a significant impact on the regulations surrounding student athlete compensation across institutions like the University of Wisconsin System and private colleges. It mandates that institutions cannot impose policies that restrict compensation based on a student's name, image, or likeness. This change could facilitate increased monetary opportunities for student athletes, enhancing their overall college experience and financial well-being, especially in the context of a system increasingly influenced by market dynamics surrounding college sports.

Summary

Assembly Bill 1048 addresses the compensation for the use of the name, image, and likeness of student athletes and student organization members at institutions of higher education in Wisconsin. It establishes a framework that prohibits institutions from preventing these students from receiving compensation for their name, image, or likeness. Specifically, the bill stipulates that any compensation received by students in this context does not affect their eligibility for scholarships, providing a crucial safeguard for student athletes financially participating in endorsement deals and other opportunities.

Contention

Noteworthy points of contention involve the provisions that limit what areas student athletes can engage in for compensation. For example, the bill prohibits students from earning money through associations with adult entertainment, alcohol, gambling, and other regulated industries. Concerns have been raised regarding how these restrictions might limit opportunities for student athletes and the competitive landscape within college sports. Furthermore, the bill requires transparency, necessitating that any contract related to compensation must be disclosed to institutional officials, thus ensuring oversight but potentially complicating student negotiations.