OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington Governor Jay Inslee Wednesday morning signed into law Senate Bill 5913, amending the state's ethics law. The bill, effective in June 2024, provides each state institution with the latitude to support student-athletes up to the threshold set by the NCAA.

"The signing of Washington Senate bill 5913 is a celebratory moment for Cougar student-athletes," said Washington State Director of Athletics Pat Chun. "This legislation will open up the ways in which WSU can support, counsel and educate student-athletes as they pursue name, image and likeness opportunities. Thank you to our state legislators and the WSU Government Affairs team for their work to put student-athletes first."

Name, image, and likeness (NIL) refers to a person's right of publicity which entitles a person to monetize the use of their NIL for commercial benefit. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) adopted guidelines in 2021 that allow individuals to engage in NIL activities consistent with the law of the state where the school is located.

Today's signing of Senate Bill 5913 ensures student-athletes at Washington State University are able to access the same assistance and benefits as their peers across the country.
 

With the NCAA's added flexibility on NIL compensation, student-athletes have been presented with increasingly complex commercial opportunities and this legislative action will ensure Washington State University is able to provide the necessary education, support, and guidance for them to succeed.