TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — A bill allowing Florida college athletes to accept endorsement deals looks to be in the home stretch.
Florida Senators gave the bill near unanimous-approval today.
It may change before heading to the governor, but it's one more hurdle cleared for Senate Bill 646, allowing college athletes to get agents and get paid for use of their name, image or likeness.
Supporters saying it's about fairness.
The NCAA is seriously considering changes, meanwhile it continues to bar students from making money off their likeness.
"I think we send a very clear message to the NCAA, the SEC, the Big Ten, all these organizations that we're serious about doing the right thing," said Sen. Rob Bradley, (R) Orange Park.
The two "nay" votes came from State GOP Chair Joe Gruters and Gainesville Senator Keith Perry.
Perry worried the bill could corrupt athlete recruitment and that the language preventing school boosters and donors from offering compensation isn't strong enough.
The governor has marked the bill as a legislative priority for the year.
