South Dakota Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over sports, this week (June 9, 2021) participated in a hearing titled, “NCAA Athlete NIL Rights.” The hearing addressed federal legislative proposals to enable athletes participating in collegiate sports to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL), improve athlete health care, and enhance scholarship protections and academic outcomes, among others. The hearing also reviewed recent changes in state laws around NIL.
During the hearing, Thune questioned NCAA President Dr. Mark Emmert and Gonzaga Men’s Basketball Head Coach Mark Few on the importance of getting the NIL rules right in order for South Dakotans to continue to have the opportunity to play college athletics. Thune also pressed Emmert on how the change in NIL rules would affect South Dakota’s two Division I mid-major and several Division II institutions.
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