BREAKING NEWS: Nebraska Gov. Pillen officially signs NIL bill into law.
In a visit to the University of Nebraska on Friday, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed Legislation Bill 1393 into law, enabling institutions to pay an athlete for the use of their NIL if permitted or approved by a court order, settlement agreement, athletic association or school policy, or any combination of these.
The signing coincides with the start of school readiness for the effects of the multibillion-dollar House settlement. Schools may choose to enter into a revenue-sharing arrangement with athletes, with the possibility to split between $20 and $22 million annually.
Initially proposed in January, the measure was passed by Pillen in April. Along with Matt Rhule, the football coach at Nebraska, Fred Hoiberg, the basketball coach at Nebraska, and Amy Williams, the women’s basketball coach at Nebraska, the bill was officially signed on Friday. Troy Dannen, the recently appointed athletic director, was also present.
Pillen played football for the Huskers from 1975 to 1978. The signing of Legislature Bill 1393 allows schools to assist athletes with NIL deals through legal support and access to department resources, such as team facilities, equipment, social media and photographers.
“This place changed my life and I’ll do anything for this program,” he said on social media. “Anytime. Anywhere.”
Notably, the measure also stipulates that NIL contracts shared with the school by businesses and athletes must be kept secret and confidential. This has grown to be a common practice to safeguard contract details.
