Ohio universities to pay student-athletes under this Statehouse-approved bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio universities will soon be allowed to pay student-athletes for their name, image and likeness.

Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation late on Thursday night to codify an executive order he made in November permitting universities to directly pay student-athletes. Rep. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon), the provision’s primary sponsor, said the legislature needed to bolster the governor’s order “to eliminate red tape, legislative issues and legal problems so our athletes can succeed.”

“Ohio has been at the forefront of athletic name, image and likeness action for years,” said Mathews during a hearing for the legislation in November. “Our flagship universities could recruit the type of talent needed to provide strong performance on the field and set up futures for students off the field.”