Maryland is set to become the latest state to offer college athletes the opportunity to profit off their names and likenesses as legislation that would expand athletes’ rights nears final approval in the General Assembly.
The Jordan McNair Safe and Fair Play Act, named after the former University of Maryland offensive lineman who died in 2018 after suffering from heatstroke at a team workout, has passed on third reading in both the House of Delegates and the state Senate.
If the act is signed into law, Maryland would join six states, including California, Colorado and Florida, that have voted to expand college athletes’ name, image and likeness (NIL) rights.