Carroll-Backed Legislation Promoting Fair Salaries, Representation for Student Athletes Passes House

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Legislation backed by state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, to combat exploitation of student athletes and give them access to fair representation recently passed the Illinois House of Representatives  with strong bipartisan support.

“Between television broadcasts, ticket sales, video games and other entertainment media, college sports are worth billions of dollars. All that money comes on the backs of student athletes, and currently, none of those athletes are paid at all,” Carroll said. “No worker, no matter the job, should face such unfair treatment. Student athletes deserve to have their rights protected.”

Carroll sponsored House Bill 3904, the Student Athlete Endorsement Act, which allows student athletes at any public or private university or college to accept endorsement opportunities. Endorsements can result from a company wishing to use students’ names, images or likenesses. The legislation passed the state house with strong support and will be considered by the state senate in the coming weeks.

This legislation is following a recent court ruling which stated the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) could not prevent payments to student athletes without violating anti-trust laws.

“When we allow exploitation like this, we are sending a terrible message to the next generation,” Carroll said. “Students need to see that fair work always merits fair pay, and that we’re going to have their backs. This legislation will send that message.”