PELHAM – U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) told 1819 News and other reporters on Tuesday that he and his colleague U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) will propose legislation to govern name, image and likeness (NIL) deals for college athletes nationwide next month.
Tuberville revealed the news following an event in Pelham held by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.
“We want to make sure we maintain education in college sports for men and women in this country," Tuberville, the former Auburn football head coach, outlined. "And I think we’ve got a bill now, with the help of a lot of athletes, coaches, and administrators, we think we’re on the right track. Now we don’t want to [reinvent] the wheel, but what we do want is all 50 states doing the same thing.”
Name, image and likeness deals allow college athletes to profit from their status through sponsorship deals and other NIL arrangements with outside parties. Before July 2021, the NCAA restricted these deals. That summer, however, the NCAA removed many of its restrictions, opening up NIL deals to college athletes in any state that would allow them.
Since then, some college athletes have earned close to seven figures in NIL deals. Former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, for example, has earned deals with Dr. Pepper, Nissan, Beats by Dre and others to garner an estimated $3.5 million, according to recruiting website On3.
Many, including Alabama head football coach and friend of Manchin Nick Saban, have voiced their concern over NIL deals and the impact they are having on college athletics.
“I’m for kids making money, I’ve always been for that,” Tuberville said on Tuesday. “But I’m also for people getting an education along with that. What we’re doing now is putting money over education. Let’s get some sense of reality back in what’s going on and start building young men and women who have an opportunity to be successful in life after sports, not just make a little money during sports.”
Tuberville said this issue has taken priority because it is something that Alabamians especially care about.
“I get more calls about this than anything,” he advised.
The bill has been in the works for one year according to Tuberville. No further details were provided about how the legislation would govern NIL deals.
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