Alabama House approves repeal of state's NIL law for student-athletes

The Alabama House of Representatives approved a bill Tuesday repealing the state's law on collegiate student-athletes profiting off their likenesses after the NCAA passed looser regulations on the topic.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Kyle South, R-Fayette, passed the chamber 97 to 1. It goes to the Senate. Rep. Mike Holmes, R-Wetumpka, was the sole no vote.

Gov. Kay Ivey last year signed legislation modeled on a Florida law that would allow student athletes to make marketing agreements on their image. But the NCAA adopted NIL guidance after the law passed — and after the NCAA lost a case on NIL before the U.S. Supreme Court — that was looser than the state's law.

"They passed a set of rules for their member institutions, and where we find ourselves is state rules were more restrictive than what the NCAA set forth," South said on the floor of the House on Tuesday.

South had said earlier that repealing the law and going to the looser NCAA standards could help colleges recruit athletes. The University of Alabama and Auburn University both support the measure.

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The legislation was the only bill in position to pass the House on Tuesday. The chamber adjourned the regular session until Feb. 1 to allow a special session called by Gov. Kay Ivey to begin Wednesday.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brian Lyman at 334-240-0185 or blyman@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama House approves repeal of state's NIL law for student athletes