ATLANTA — It's been a highly debated and controversial topic for years but Thursday morning, Governor Brian Kemp officially signed a bill that would allow college athletes to get paid for the use of their name, image, and likeness.
"College athletics are an essential part of the fabric of who we are as Georgians," Governor Kemp said. "It is well past time for college athletes to be fairly compensated for all that they do for our universities and our state. It is our hope that this bill will encourage more student athletes to come to Georgia to receive both a great education and the opportunity to compete at the highest level. As a diehard Georgia sports fan, I am so proud of the contributions that our student athletes have made to our great state and look forward to cheering them on as we fully re-open and return back to normal."
Governor Kemp signed the Name, Image, Likeness Bill also known as HB 617 at a ceremony in Athens.
The new law takes effect July 1.
Watch the Governor's full remarks here.