Virginia law allows the state’s colleges and universities to directly pay athletes through NIL deals

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia’s governor has signed a law that allows state colleges and universities to directly pay athletes through name, image and likeness endorsement deals. The law signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin bypasses NCAA rules. It takes effect on July 1. NIL rules, enacted in 2021, allow college athletes to agree to deals with brands and businesses that compensate them for advertising or personal appearances. The NCAA says rules against “pay for play” and schools directly paying their athletes remain in place.