Gov. Parson signs name, image and likeness bill into law

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Collegiate student-athletes in Missouri can now profit off their name, image and likeness, by law. Gov. Parson signed House Bill 297 on Tuesday afternoon. It will go into effect on Aug. 28.

The new law will prohibit Missouri's public or private institutions from denying student-athletes the right to profit off their name, image and likeness.

On July 1, the NCAA passed an interim policy which granted student-athletes the same rights.

Mizzou athletic director Jim Sterk said MU's policies on NIL already reflect the new legislation. Lincoln athletic director Kevin Wilson said LU's policies do the same.

“Today’s signing of Missouri’s NIL bill ensures our student-athletes will continue to have opportunities to cultivate and benefit from their personal brands,” Sterk said in a statement. “Mizzou Athletics looks forward to continuing to educate our student-athletes on the NIL process and providing them with the resources necessary to maximize their brands through our TradeMark program.”

Last week, Sterk said 50 MU student-athletes have signed NIL deals thus far.