NCAA Urges Governor to Reject ‘Unconstitutional’ California Bill

College sports association girding for fight over athlete pay
Legislation would let star players seek out sponsorships

UCLA Bruins football players during a game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Photographer: John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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By Eben Novy-Williams

September 11, 2019 at 4:37 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association, launching a salvo in the fight over athlete pay, is urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to veto a new law that has the potential to upend the business of college sports.

Newsom is expected to sign the Fair Pay to Play Act, which has already passed the state’s senate and assembly. It would force California schools like USC and UCLA to allow their athletes to market themselves for things like personal sponsorships and video-game licensing.