Arizona steps up to the plate to protect college athletes with landmark Bill

The bill builds on Arizona’s 2021 law allowing athletes to profit from their NIL.

PUBLISHED MAR 25, 2025

The legislation aligns Arizona with states like Virginia, Utah, and Georgia, which have similar laws.

Phoenix, Arizona: With Congress failing to establish federal guidelines for college athletes’ Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, Arizona is stepping in to fill the gap. The state Senate recently passed Senate Bill 1615 with near-unanimous support (26-1), aiming to strengthen protections for student-athletes in NIL agreements.

Sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore TJ Shope (R-Coolidge), the bill builds on Arizona’s 2021 law allowing athletes to profit from their NIL. Shope told The Center Square that states must act since Congress has been unable to pass legislation. “If we have an opportunity to act and we’re waiting on Congress, we might as well make a move,” he said.

TJ Shope called the bill a “win-win”, helping keep athletes in Arizona rather than leaving early for professional leagues.

The key protections in SB 1615 are: Regulates advisors to prevent exploitation of student-athletes; bans penalties against athletes for accepting NIL compensation or hiring agents; and allows nonprofits tied to college sports to hold 50/50 raffles to fund athlete payments.

Shope called the bill a “win-win”, helping keep athletes in Arizona rather than leaving early for professional leagues. The legislation aligns Arizona with states like Virginia, Utah, and Georgia, which have similar laws.

The bill now moves to the House Education and Rules committees, with a minor amendment expected before final passage. Shope predicts it will become law within three to four weeks. Major Arizona universities, including ASU, UArizona, GCU, and NAU, support the measure.

Jamie Boggs, GCU’s VP for Athletics, told lawmakers the bill ensures Arizona remains competitive in recruiting and retaining talent.