Mar 3, 2025—Montana is making power moves to protect athletes and public figures from AI fakes. House Bill 514, led by Rep. Jill Cohenour, just crushed its second House vote unanimously, giving residents full control over their name, image, and likeness. Violators could get smacked with up to $50K fines for digital replicas and $5K for unauthorized use. If the bill clears the Senate, these NIL rights will even extend 10 years after a person’s death. With Tennessee and California already on board, Montana is making sure its talent—on and off the field—gets paid, not played. MORE
Mar 5, 2025—Colleges are pushing NIL contracts to the extreme, with some even claiming rights to players' tattoos and dance moves. These contracts, set to take effect this summer, are designed to keep athletes committed to schools while avoiding official employment status. However, legal experts argue they resemble employment agreements as they dictate performance-based pay, transfer restrictions, and broad licensing rights. The NCAA is lobbying to prevent athletes from unionizing, but pending lawsuits could change that. With a $2.8 billion antitrust settlement looming, the debate over whether college athletes are employees is heating up. MORE
