• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Latest Florida Fiasco

  • Two weeks ago, the Florida state legislature almost pushed back the date of its NIL law.
  • The fiasco illustrates the fragility of the NIL landscape.
Photo: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY/Design: Alex Brooks

Florida has long been ground zero on NIL laws, given that its law has the earliest start date of July 1, 2021. 

But two weeks ago, the Florida state legislature almost pushed back the date of its NIL law, causing 48 hours of chaos.

The fiasco illustrates the fragility of the NIL landscape — and plenty of uncertainty remains just seven weeks before laws take effect.

Midnight Appointment

On April 28, State Senator Travis Hutson quietly introduced an amendment to an unrelated bill that would delay the NIL law’s effective date until 2022. He did so two short days before the end of the session.

The bill, which also included an amendment that would prohibit transgender athletes from playing women’s sports, passed.

When word of the NIL component of the bill spread late that Wednesday, “the industry went into scramble mode,” Ahmad Elhawli, founder and CEO of Sportsfinda, told FOS. “We were contacting each other, reaching out to lawyers, reaching out to officials in government … It was MADNESS.”

Florida quarterbacks, like Miami’s D’Eriq King (pictured) joined in to speak out against the delay. So did football coaches like FSU’s Mike Norvell and Florida’s Dan Mullen.

Over that 48 hours, the outcry caused the legislature to pass another amendment that would reinstate the 2021 date — just in time for the session to end.

Potential Effects

More than 10 other states have passed similar laws, four of which launch July 1 — and all of which have their own idiosyncrasies. 

States passed NIL laws so they wouldn’t lose their recruiting advantage — four of five states with laws taking effect July 1 host SEC schools. Florida “created this urgency for states to try to give their institutions the ability to compete in another category,” INFLCR CEO Jim Cavale told FOS.

But if Florida’s law had been pushed back, companies worried that other states would follow — and that urgency would disappear.

In addition, NIL companies have relied on Florida to begin building their businesses and connecting with potential clients.

“Florida, for us, is our beta market,” Dreamfield co-founder and CEO Luis Pardillo told FOS. “That’s where we’re focusing our product.” 

If Florida’s NIL law had been delayed, “I’m not sure we would have survived, to be honest with you.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Baseball

NCAA Settles With Volunteer Baseball Coaches for $49 Million

A similar suit brought by volunteer coaches of other sports remains open.
Sep 13, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) carries the football against South Florida Bulls cornerback Ben Knox (1) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.

NCAA Eliminates Spring Transfer Portal Window

The change is aimed at curbing the system of “unrestricted free agency.”
Sep 12, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; New Mexico Lobos quarterback Jack Layne (2) reacts after his team scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl.

UCLA Paid New Mexico $1.2 Million for Friday’s Loss: Payout Game Tracker

The Bruins weren’t the only Power-4 school to lose a buy game and fire their coach.
Sep 12, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) looks to pass during the first quarter against the New Mexico Lobos at Rose Bowl.

UCLA-Tennessee QB Trade Has Been Painful So Far

Iamaleava abruptly left Tennessee for UCLA this past offseason.

Featured Today

Adriunna Brown

Business Is Booming for WNBA’s Top Beauty Pros

A network of stylists is shaping how players look, feel, and perform.
Premier Lacrosse League
September 14, 2025

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back AK Dear (0) tries to outrun Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) during the second half at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Despite Vote Delay, SCORE Act Negotiations Continue on Capitol Hill

Political ad campaigns during college football Saturdays continue as well.
Mar 4, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., ahead of President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025.
September 11, 2025

House Republicans Delay SCORE Act Vote Tentatively Planned for Next Week

They didn’t believe they had enough votes to pass the bill.
September 14, 2025

College Football’s Costly Start for Virginia Tech, UCLA: Coaches Out

UCLA and Virginia Tech fire their coaches while Notre Dame slumps badly.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Jan 25, 2023; Langley, British Columbia, CAN; Highlights from the CHL Kubota Top Prospects game at the Langley Events Centre
September 10, 2025

NCAA Hockey Scouts Denied Passes for Crucial Recruiting League

The CHL won’t welcome scouts on passes: “It comes across as petty.”
Feb 17, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs guard Jalen Weaver (5) during the first half against the Boise State Broncos at ExtraMile Arena.
September 10, 2025

NCAA Bans 3 Basketball Players for Violating Betting Rules Last Season

The former San Jose State and Fresno State players have lost eligibility.
NFL Congress
exclusive
September 10, 2025

College Sports ‘House of Cards’: Republicans, Lobbyists Work to Secure Votes to..

Several House Republicans criticized the SCORE Act on social media.
The cover of the College Football 25 video game.
exclusive
September 9, 2025

Group That Facilitated NIL Deal for Football Video Game Now Says It’s..

EA offered $1,500 and no royalties; it also deleted an opt-out clause.