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HD 1789

An Act empowering student-athletes through NIL rights

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Francisco Paulino

Massachusetts bill legalizes college athletes' commercial monetization of name, image, and likeness while maintaining athletic eligibility.

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Bill Summary · HD 1789

Legislative bill overview

HD 1789 would grant Massachusetts student-athletes the right to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL) through endorsements, sponsorships, and commercial agreements while remaining eligible for collegiate sports. The bill aims to align Massachusetts with other states that have already legalized NIL rights for student-athletes, creating a more uniform regulatory landscape.

Why is this important

Student-athletes currently generate significant revenue for universities through ticket sales, merchandise, and media rights, yet cannot directly profit from their own commercial value. This bill would allow students to earn income from their personal brands, potentially reducing financial disparities and allowing athletes to benefit from their own celebrity. It addresses a fairness question: whether unpaid athletes should be permitted to capitalize on commercial opportunities that their athletic success creates.

Potential points of contention

  • Competitive balance concerns: Schools with wealthy boosters and larger markets may attract better athletes through NIL deals, potentially widening competitive gaps between institutions
  • Academic mission conflicts: Questions about whether prioritizing athlete compensation commercializes higher education and diverts focus from educational purposes
  • Implementation challenges: Determining how to prevent NIL arrangements from becoming disguised pay-for-play recruitment violations, and clarifying which athletes qualify (all sports? all divisions?)
  • Enforcement complexity: Monitoring compliance across private endorsement deals that occur outside institutional control

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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