If you are looking to make money off autographs from college athletes, you’d be well advised to steer clear of the state Georgia.
The state senate has passed a bill to protect college athletes from what it considers to be predatory practices from those who offer money in exchange for things like signed memorabilia.
New Georgia Law (Todd Gurley Law) Would Target Sports Memorabilia Brokers
House Bill 3 is also known as the Todd Gurley Bill, after the former Georgia running back who was suspended four games in October of last season after admitting he took cash from an autograph broker. When the broker couldn’t sell enough of the autographed items to make his money back, he allegedly reported the infractions to the NCAA.
The bill was written by state representative Barry Fleming and has passed both the state house and the state senate by overwhelming majorities. The legislation would allow prosecutors to impose a $25,000 fine and potential jail time to any sports memorabilia solicitor who knowingly tempts a college athlete in the state of Georgia to risk their eligibility or scholarship in any cash-for- autograph type of agreement. Currently the state only penalizes those who pay athletes to attend a certain school.
Georgia is the first state that has attempted such a bill. Gurley was an early frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy last season before it was revealed he had taken cash in both his freshman and sophomore seasons from memorabilia brokers. He returned from his NCAA mandated suspension in November, only to tear his ACL in his first game back. With a year of eligibility remaining, Gurley opted to declare for the NFL draft. At a recent pro day in Athens, Georgia, he said accepting the money for the autographs was, “a dumb mistake.” Meeting with reporters, he added, “I knew the rules. I still broke them. I am definitely ready to move on and get on with my life.”
Fleming said his bill, “would basically say, that if you entice a scholarship athlete to do something that is improper-and you know that-well, then there can be some penalties against you for doing that.” Fleming likened his efforts to laws that penalize not only minors who illegally purchase alcohol, but also penalize those that knowingly sell them the alcohol.
The bill now goes to Governor Nathan Deal’s office, where he is expected to sign it. No time frame has been given for the enactment of the law.
