On March 18, 2025, State Representatives Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) and Ty D. Matthews (R-Findley) introduced House Bill 184. This bill is aimed at preventing college athletes from being locked into name, image, and likeness (NIL) contracts after their eligibility period is over.
Specifically it would void any contract compensating a college athlete for their NIL if it:
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- Remains in effect beyond the date the athlete loses eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics, or
- Requires the athlete to provide any compensation or rights associated with their NIL after they lose eligibility.
These restrictions would also apply to athlete-agent contracts.
Representative Stewart stated that the inspiration for this bill came from a high-profile case involving former Ohio State Buckeye and current Arizona Cardinals wide receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr. During his time with the Buckeyes, he had allegedly signed a deal with a licensed sports merchandiser, Fanatics, and was later sued for breach of contract. While this legal dispute was pending, the NFL, the Cardinals and Fanatics were not authorized to sell his jerseys—shelving them during his rookie season. The lawsuit was resolved in spring 2025, and his jerseys became available for sale on March 14, 2025. Representative Stewart remarked that if Harrison Jr.’s NIL contract extended into his NFL career, “it would’ve bound his professional earnings, so we don’t think that’s good policy.”
Consequently, House Bill 184 was introduced and passed the Ohio House of Representatives unanimously on May 14, 2025. It is now under review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
What Does This Mean?
For our readers, here are the key takeaways:
- The legal landscape surrounding the NIL world continues to evolve rapidly.
- Additional protections, such as House Bill 184, may soon reshape how NIL contracts are structured in Ohio.
- It is important for athletes and their representatives to thoroughly review any potential NIL deals to ensure they comply with state law and are not predatory.
If you have questions about House Bill 184 or what it could mean for your future NIL opportunities, please contact KJK’s Litigation attorneys J. David Campbell (JDC@kjk.com; 614.427.5742) or Daniel Walsh (DJW@kjk.com; 614.427.5744).
