LeBron James Pushes For California Bill That Would Allow Student Athletes To Get Paid

LeBron James

LeBron James Pushes For California Bill That Would Allow Student Athletes To Get Paid

NBA All-Star LeBron James wants student athletes in California to secure the bag.

He tweeted in support of California bill SB 206 that if passed, will let student athletes get paid whenever their “name, image or likeness” is used. Student athletes would also be able to hire a lawyer or an agent to represent them in business deals. While it doesn’t force schools to pay the players, it does reassure that student athletes will get the same treatment as Olympic athletes.

James urged his followers an fans,

“Everyone [in] California — call your politicians and tell them to support SB 206! This law is a GAME CHANGER. College athletes can responsibly get paid for what they do and the billions they create.”

He added,

“California can change the game. This is only right waaaayy overdue. #morethananathlete”

He went on to say that he’s already started the movement with his documentary called “Student Athlete” that premiered on HBO in October 2018.

The California Senate already greenlighted the bill, also known as the Fair Pay to Play Act, in May.  It was first introduced in the Senate in February.

If it’s approved in the California Assembly, it could be an official law in 2023.

Still, many schools in the state, such as Stanford University and USC, are against the bill. Stanford’s athletic director, Bernard Muir, penned a letter to the California State Senate.

“Allowing student-athletes to receive compensation from their name, image, and likeness, would present serious challenges for higher education institutions and to the collegiate sports model. We believe that for any reform to be fair and meaningful to all student-athletes it needs to occur at the national level and be adopted by the NCAA.”

Are you a fan of the bill? Tell us in the comments.