Sports Figures React To Calif. College Athlete Endorsement Law

SACRAMENTO, CA — Sports figures around California celebrated a groundbreaking law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that will let college athletes profit from their talents through endorsements and sponsorship deals.

Senate Bill 206, which targets NCAA policies that prevent student athletes from earning any compensation from their work in college sports, passed the California Legislature unanimously earlier this month.

Newsom signed SB 206 on Friday during an appearance on "The Shop" — an HBO show produced by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. The clip was released Monday morning.

I’m so incredibly proud to share this moment with all of you. @gavinnewsom came to The Shop to do something that will change the lives for countless athletes who deserve it! @uninterrupted hosted the formal signing for SB 206 allowing college athletes to responsibly get paid. pic.twitter.com/NZQGg6PY9d
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 30, 2019

James has been a vocal advocate in favor of allowing college athletes to earn money despite not having attended college himself. "I understand what those kids are going through, I feel for those kids," he told reporters Monday afternoon.

State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, who co-authored the legislation, shared a photo Monday morning with James and former UCLA gymnast Katelyn Ohashi, who performed a viral floor routine earlier this year.

Gotta respect the elders. @drharryedwards' "Revolt of the Black Athlete" & organizer of '68 Olympics protest, and @kaj33. Thank you for making me aware of exploitation of college athletes, esp. Black athletes. You are my inspiration behind #SB206!@KingJames @katelyn_ohashi pic.twitter.com/ITILyDEutA
— Nancy Skinner (@NancySkinnerCA) September 30, 2019

Other statewide NBA stars, including Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green, celebrated the bill's passage. Warriors guard Glenn Robinson III speculated that California might see an influx of young players looking to capitalize on the new law.

"Every kid's going to want to go to college out here in Cali," he said. "A lot of people are waking up and starting to see how much money these universities are making off of players."

Glenn Robinson III on SB 206 allowing college athletes to profit for their likeness in California said #Warriors were joking in the locker room that,

“Every kid is going to want to go to school here in Cali." pic.twitter.com/idumfd2mC3
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) September 30, 2019

Not everyone spoke as positively about the law, which may be transformative in college sports. San Diego State University football coach Rocky Long told reporters earlier this month that college athletics and endorsements may not go well together.

“When they’re at a university I think they are basically amateur athletes and that they should not be [paid],” Long said.

And the San Francisco-based Pac-12 conference condemned SB 206, which it said "will lead to the professionalization of college sports."

"Our universities ... firmly believe all reforms must treat our student-athletes as students pursuing an education, and not as professional athletes," the conference said in a statement.

The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023, which Skinner's office said would allow colleges and the NCAA enough time to prepare for the change.