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Virginia Governor Signs Law Allowing College Athletes to Get Paid Through Endorsement Deals

In a groundbreaking move, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has signed a law that will allow state colleges and universities to directly pay athletes through name, image, and likeness (NIL) endorsement deals. This law, which bypasses NCAA rules, is set to take effect on July 1, giving college athletes in Virginia the opportunity to profit from their own image and brand.

The NIL rules, which were enacted in 2021, allow college athletes to enter into agreements with brands and businesses that compensate them for advertising or personal appearances. However, the NCAA still maintains rules against “pay for play” and schools directly paying their athletes.

In related news, an unfair labor complaint has been filed against the University of Notre Dame for classifying college athletes as “student-athletes.” The complaint, filed by the College Basketball Players Association, alleges that Notre Dame is engaging in unfair labor practices by not recognizing the athletes as employees.

Meanwhile, the Cavinder twins, who previously played for Miami’s women’s basketball team, have both announced their return to the Hurricanes after a brief stint elsewhere. Additionally, Utah and Florida have clinched spots at the NCAA women’s gymnastics championship, denying top-seeded Oklahoma a chance at a three-peat.

In other sports news, Tennessee State has taken a major step towards introducing ice hockey by hiring Duanté Abercrombie as the Tigers’ head coach. This move could make Tennessee State the first historically Black college and university to field ice hockey teams at the Division I level.