The governor argued that his order would help compensate athletes while waiting for news on a proposed settlement in a lawsuit that could permit direct payments.
ATLANTA — Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed an executive order on Tuesday making it legal for universities to pay student-athletes for using their name, image or likeness.
However, Kemp’s executive order specifies that “no postsecondary educational institution shall use funds allocated by the State of Georgia for such compensation.”
Previously, students could only receive money through donor collectives or businesses seeking to use athletes for a promotion. Kemp’s order now argues that universities within the state can pay their athletes directly without facing repercussions from the NCAA.
The governor argued that his order would help compensate athletes while waiting for news on a proposed settlement in a lawsuit that could permit direct payments across the nation.
Division I athletes and former athletes behind the suit are seeking more modest hourly wages similar to those earned by their peers …