NIL bill unanimously passed by Kentucky Senate, moves to House

The name, image, and likeness bill that led to in-person testimonies from Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari and UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart was unanimously passed by the Kentucky Senate on Thursday.

Senate Bill 6, which allows student-athletes to be compensated for their name, image, and likeness, passed the Senate as amended 37-0. The bill is sponsored by Max Wise (R), Whitney Westerfield (R), and Morgan McGarvey (D).

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear previously signed an executive order to allow NIL deals with student-athletes in the state, which went into effect on July 1, 2021. Seen as a temporary stopgap until permanent legislation was in place at the state or federal level, the order was set to expire in January.

Now, SB 6 will go to the House for another vote, followed by Beshear signing off on the bill thereafter. It was previously passed unanimously (10-0) by the Senate Education Committee.

The legislation aims to “provide protections for student-athletes seeking compensation through name, image, and likeness agreements or seeking an athlete agent.” It’s a bill that Calipari believes will serve as a model for other states as they look to create permanent legislation throughout the country.

“I think it’s a model bill,” Calipari said Wednesday. “I think other states are going to look at this bill and say, ‘Wow.’ … Kentucky basketball is the gold standard. It is. People are looking to us, what are we doing.”

Calipari drove to Frankfort and spoke on behalf of the bill because it affects his team and his players. If his input helps move the needle on a vote, he’ll happily make it happen.

“It’s a good bill. … Name, image, and likeness — my focus is my 12 (players), and this affects my 12,” Calipari said. “I just want to make sure that my voice is heard because I’m in the middle of this. I’ve done this a long time, and my perspective is one that may be able to help somebody if they’re not sure.”

John Calipari speaks to the media following the passing of Senate Bill 6, pertaining to NIL. @KyKernel @KYKernelSports pic.twitter.com/Zm17RaF5ZL

— Hunter Shelton (@HunterWS11) February 9, 2022

SB 6 includes the prohibition of NIL compensation as a recruiting tool, imposing “reasonable restrictions” on which deals can and cannot be approved, and for the schools to provide “financial literacy and life skills education” so the student-athletes can better understand NIL. The bill, which originally barred schools from negotiating deals on behalf of student-athletes, will now allow those talks.

Barnhart confirmed that over 800 NIL deals have been signed by roughly 250 student-athletes at UK.

The finish line hasn’t been crossed, but involved parties are inching closer toward permanent legislation. You can read the bill in its entirety here.