States are leading the push to play college athletes

California is the first to make it law. New York and Florida are testing the waters. Others are expected to join. Delphine Lee/ NPR Happy Sunday, The life of a California college athlete will be different in the year 2023, when the [Fair Pay to Play Act]( goes into effect. In a little over three years, the longstanding rule that student athletes not be paid will come to an end in this state. That's what we learned [this week]( Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill -- the first of its kind -- to allow students to test the free market through endorsement deals. The NCAA has opposed the move many times, but that hasn't stopped similar bills from popping up all over the country. Here's what you need to know. California’s Fair Pay to Play Act isn’t a mandate for colleges and universities to start cutting checks. That’s the most important part of this state law. The responsibility is on the student, who will have to work out his or her own endorsement deals, either themselves or through an agent. State Senator Nancy Skinner, who sponsored the bill, said the legislation was designed to address the NCAA’s restriction on getting paid off of “name, image and likeness,” which she says goes further than just lucrative deals with sneaker companies. It “stops a swimmer from being able to teach swimming lessons or coach swimming. It stops a gymnast from being able to monetize her own YouTube videos,” she told NPR. The NCAA has called the law “unconstitutional.” Skinner told NPR that the bill was designed to give the NCAA time to address the change. New York’s state bill goes a step further than California. In New York, Senator Kevin Parker is proposing a bill that would do what California's bill does -- but also require a college’s athletic departments to give a 15% share of annual revenue directly to student-athletes. Another big piece of this legislation: It requires universities to start a fund to compensate athletes after career-ending or long-term injuries. Florida has proposed a bill that would go into effect next year. That bill was introduced this week. Early drafts of this bill look very similar to California’s bill by offering protection from scholarships getting revoked. Across the country, other bills are popping up. CBS Sports [reports]( that Illinois, Kentucky, Washington, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Maryland are either introducing student athlete compensation laws or looking into it. That’s a lot to unpack. It also got us thinking: Will any of this affect how high school students choose where to go to college? If you or someone you know is weighing this as an option, click the button below to talk to us. [Talk To Us](mailto:npred@npr.org?subject=Getting%20Paid%20As%20A%20College%20Athlete) Now, let’s get into some more news from this week.... A judge has ruled in favor of Harvard University in a high-profile court case centered on whether the school's admissions process forces Asian Americans to clear a higher bar to get in. Federal District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs issued her decision Tuesday, saying "the Court finds no persuasive documentary evidence of any racial animus or conscious prejudice against Asian Americans." In the decision, Burroughs said that while Harvard's admissions program is "not perfect," "ensuring diversity at Harvard relies, in part, on race conscious admissions." [Read more here](. The Chicago Teachers Union will strike on Oct. 17 if they don’t reach a deal with the school district. CTU would strike with two other unions -- representing Park District workers and other school district staff -- and altogether, as many as 35,000 workers could strike at once. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp is reporting that "Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is threatening not to make up days if Chicago teachers strike — an unprecedented move that cuts into teacher pay and student instructional time." [Read more here](. About 500 schools across the U.S. were hit with ransomware this year. That is according to a [report]( published by the Armor Threat Intelligence Briefing. According to the report, the attacks are increasing and affecting each school differently. Education Week cited one incident where a school district had to pay $88,000 to release information stolen through a cyber attack. [Read more here](. Laurene Powell Jobs and the Robin Hood Foundation will donate $16 million to New York schools. The New York Times is reporting that the two groups “will have considerable sway over the direction of about 20 schools, which will be traditional public schools created through a competition.” [Read more here](. And before you go, something to make you laugh… A 9 year-old about enters a 5K race -- but accidentally wins a 10K. The Minnesota teen started his 5K by going the wrong direction -- taking a different path to a longer race. Kade Lovell's mom was concerned (of course) when her son didn't show up at the 5K finish line. [Read his story here](. See you next week. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [npred@npr.org](mailto:npred@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Code Switch and more! [Facebook]( [Twitter]( You received this message because you're subscribed to Education emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy](