Texas Tech wants to pay athletes to help with recruiting efforts
- Golf NIL
- Nov 20, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 10
November 20, 2024
Texas Tech University System leaders are urging Gov. Greg Abbott to allow them and other Texas universities to bypass a law that prevents direct payments to college athletes they wish to recruit. They warn that Texas schools could struggle to recruit for the upcoming school year without this permission.
Three years ago, Texas lawmakers permitted college athletes to earn money from their NIL but included a restriction preventing universities from negotiating NIL agreements directly with current or prospective athletes. Texas Tech leaders believe that the current restrictions put Texas at a disadvantage compared to states without similar limitations.
While legislative changes are expected in the upcoming session, they are urging the governor to take action in the interim.
The request may soon become a growing trend as schools prepare for next steps with the NCAA Settlement. The $2.8 billion settlement, which hinges on final approval, would allow schools to pay athletes as early as the start of the 2025 school year. On November 18, 2024, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed an executive order to “ensure a fair and level playing field for Ohio’s postsecondary educational institutions and their student-athletes.”
Texas is no stranger to attracting top golf talent. In 2023, Texas Tech's Ludvig Åberg graduated as the world's top-ranked amateur golfer. He finished the season No. 1 in the PGA TOUR University rankings, becoming the first player to earn his PGA TOUR card through the updated model.
Statewide, current top-ranked amateurs include world No. 13 and Golf NIL Watchlist athlete Tommy Morrison (University of Texas), world No. 15 Christian Maas (University of Texas), world No. 16 Calum Scott (Texas A&M), and Women's Amateur No. 13 Farah O'Keefe (University of Texas).
Scarlett Schremmer, AJGA No. 8 and Golf NIL No. 7, and Natalie Yen, AJGA No. 13 and Golf NIL Watchlist athlete, are among the top-ranked juniors committed to Texas A&M's 2025 class.
