Maryland governor signs NIL law with health provisions
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan signed the Jordan McNair Safe and Fair Play Act into law Tuesday, according to Michael McCann of Yahoo Sports.
Senate Bill 439 will allow student-athletes to profit from endorsements and sponsorships beginning July 1.
The act is named after the former Maryland offensive lineman who died in 2018 from heatstroke. State officials approved a $3.5-million settlement in January between the school and McNair's parents.
"This is a victorious day for Tonya and I, as Jordan's legacy continues to save lives as well as empower student-athletes' health and well-being at the higher-level educational institutions in the state of Maryland," Marty McNair said, according to ESPN's Heather Dinich. "I sincerely hope other states will follow suit to protect all of their student-athletes at the collegiate level of competition."
The new law will forbid Maryland public universities from enforcing any NCAA rule that prevents student-athletes from profiting from their names, images, and likenesses.
The act also mandates that universities assess and treat brain injuries, heat-related illnesses, and other serious conditions.
Maryland's new NIL law prohibits student-athletes from signing endorsements that conflict with a school's sponsorship and prevents them from advertising for third-party sponsors during official and mandatory team activities.
Maryland joins Florida, Georgia, Alabama, New Mexico, and Mississippi as states set to enforce NIL laws this summer.