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Governor Brian Kemp signed an executive order on Tuesday that allows state schools in Georgia to directly compensate athletes through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. This move comes amid ongoing legal disputes between the NCAA and various athletic conferences regarding player compensation.

Kemp’s order aims to ensure that Georgia’s student-athletes remain competitive and do not miss out on potential earnings while national regulations are still being sorted out. In his order, Kemp emphasized the need for a level playing field for Georgia’s athletes.

Georgia Tech Director of Athletics J. Batt and Georgia Director of Athletics Josh Brooks issued a joint statement praising the governor’s decision. They expressed their appreciation for Kemp’s leadership, noting that the executive order provides essential support for student-athletes, helping their institutions stay competitive and secure the future of their athletics programs.

The executive order specifies that state funds cannot be used for these NIL payments; instead, funding must come from private donations or school-raised funds.

Kemp had previously signed a 2021 bill allowing student-athletes to profit from their image, and the Georgia High School Association approved NIL deals for high school athletes in 2023, with certain conditions.