All Roll Calls
Yes: 122 • No: 6
ArizonaSB 1615Fifty-seventh Legislature - First Regular SessionSenateWALLET
student athletes; employment status; restrictions
Sponsored By: Thomas "T.J." Shope (Republican)
Signed by Governor
abor (see also: arizona board of regents) (h)arizona board of regents (abor) (h)collegiate athleticsconfidentialitycriminal code - title 13definitionseducation - title 15emergencyemergency clauseemployment statusexclusionsinjunctive reliefpostsecondary education institutionspostsecondary institutions (h)prohibitionspublic records exemptionrestrictionsstudent athlete compensationstudent athlete employment statusstudent athletes
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Athletes keep scholarships and sports access
A college cannot limit an athlete’s participation because of covered compensation activities or professional representation from an agent or lawyer. It cannot use those activities to decide scholarship eligibility or renewal. A college also cannot take away a scholarship or declare an athlete ineligible because the athlete earns name, image, or likeness compensation.
NIL earnings do not ensure employee status
A college cannot classify a student athlete as its employee solely because the athlete takes part in its sports program or receives covered compensation or shared revenue. The law does not decide whether other reasons can support employee status.
More ways for athletes to earn
Arizona colleges that compete in intercollegiate sports must let student athletes earn money from use of their own name, image, or likeness. Colleges can also pay athletes for that use and support groups that help create earning opportunities. Colleges cannot use money collected from student fees to pay athletes.
Rules and court process for athlete deals
Athletes must disclose proposed name, image, or likeness contracts to their college before signing. Contracts cannot conflict with team or school contracts, athletic policies, or the honor code. Athletes need express school approval to use school property for these opportunities. If a college finds a violation, it must give written notice and 10 days to correct it before seeking a court order.
Private records for athlete contracts
Records about a student athlete’s name, image, or likeness contract or proposed contract are not public records. Information a college collects about the contract is confidential and cannot be publicly disclosed.
Raffles can support athlete earnings
An Arizona Board of Regents university or a qualifying tax-exempt group that helps athletes earn name, image, or likeness money can hold raffles. The sponsor must have existed continuously in Arizona for one year before the raffle. Insiders cannot receive a financial benefit beyond taking part on equal terms with others. Only a bona fide local member can help manage, sell, or run the raffle.
Courts protect athlete earning rights
Regulators cannot block covered athlete or school participation because of compensation or professional representation allowed by the law. They also cannot take certain actions over conduct the law allows. Athletes can ask a court to stop a school or regulator from violating the law. Colleges, marketing associates, and third parties can ask a court to stop a regulator from considering a complaint, starting an investigation, or imposing a penalty over authorized conduct.
Limits on employee liability for lost earnings
A college or third-party employee is not liable when a routine decision or action in an intercollegiate sports program keeps an athlete from earning name, image, or likeness money. This can limit the athlete’s ability to seek a remedy from that employee.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Thomas "T.J." Shope
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/1/2025
CONCUR: Passed
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/1/2025
FINAL: Passed
Yes: 22 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/14/2025
THIRD: Passed
Yes: 51 • No: 4
Senate vote • 4/7/2025
C&P
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/25/2025
DPA
Yes: 11 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/13/2025
THIRD: Passed
Yes: 26 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/12/2025
DP
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Final Reading: Passed
5/1/2025SenateConcurrence: Passed
5/1/2025SenateThird Reading: Passed
4/14/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole: do pass amended
4/9/2025Senateundefined: C&P
4/7/2025Senateundefined: DPA
3/25/2025SenateThird Reading: Passed
3/13/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole: do pass amended
3/6/2025Senateundefined: PFC
2/17/2025Senateundefined: DP
2/12/2025Senate
Bill Text
Chaptered Version
House Engrossed Version
Introduced Version
Senate Engrossed Version