Call it Gurley’s Law: the next guy who tries to pay a Georgia running back for his autograph may want to think twice, after state lawmakers proposed new penalties this week including jail time and a $25,000 fine.
The attempted crackdown comes after NCAA officials last month suspended Georgia running back Todd Gurley four games for accepting money from memorabilia dealers.
The debacle cost the Bulldogs’ star running back most of his season this year, since it preceded a season-ending injury Saturday — Gurley’s first game back on the field.
State lawmakers, meanwhile, had mulled ways they could discourage anyone who entices a college athlete into breaking NCAA rules and jeopardizing their eligibility.
State Rep. Barry Fleming, R-Harlem and a University of Georgia graduate, filed House Bill 3 after consulting his colleagues.
The state currently only makes it a misdemeanor if someone pays an athlete to attend a specific school or if an athlete is rewarded financially for performing well.
HB 3 would make it a crime to enter into a contract with a student athlete if that person or company knew the transaction would jeopardize that athlete’s scholarship, eligibility or amateur standing.
About the Author
