Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-20
AN ACT CONCERNING THE NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF STUDENT
Title: ATHLETES.
Vote Date: 3/17/2022
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/8/2022
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee.
REASONS FOR BILL:
To allow student athletes to use institutional marks while fulfilling an endorsement contract or
participating in an employment activity, and to require higher education institutions to create
policies regarding institutional marks for student athletes.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Neal Eskin, Executive Associate Athletic Director, University of Connecticut: Mr. Eskin, on
behalf of UConn Athletic Director David Benedict, supports S.B. 20 and is "very pleased and
proud that Connecticut has been at the forefront of this sea change" regarding the laws
surrounding the "Name, Image, and Likeness (N.I.L.)" of student athletes. Only two states in
the nation, Connecticut and South Carolina, "specifically prohibit marks usage," as Alabama
recently "repealed the entirety of its NIL laws on February 03, 2022." S.B. 20 would allow
student athletes to "have the same benefit as their contemporaries in other states," which is
necessary "In order to compete at the highest level," and it will also allow student athletes to
enjoy "the full value of their NIL." S.B. 20 would then "heighten institutional exposure and
awareness," as well as continue to "protect institutional and student-athlete interests" by
leaving "Guardrails contained in our state lawin place." In conclusion, S.B. 20 will help "to
maintain the championship tradition that we proudly share with the citizens of Connecticut."
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
See "RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY."
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed.
Reported by: Austin Hyatt Date: 3/18/2022
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