New Georgia Law Allows College To Take $$$$ From Athletes

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a new bill that regulates college athletes' name, image, and likeness early Thursday. Kemp held his signing in front of a Georgia Bulldog backdrop, which was supposed to signify "pro-player profits" -- until you read the fine print.

Details reveal that schools can still take a significant cut of that money if they feel like it. A deal that looks player-friendly but that is actually pro-owner/school in the end? Seems to happen every time, doesn't it? Figures.

The bill allows schools to take up to 75% of an athlete's endorsement income, according to attorney and athlete advocate Maddie Salamone. And as WESH anchor Kendra Douglas added, the deal is going to kill recruiting.

Here's the deal

There's obviously a huge problem with a 75-25 cut, but how will it impact recruiting, exactly? Well, if Alabama lets players keep a larger cut than, let's say, Auburn, then Nick Saban has the upper hand.

And in theory that makes it sound like the programs taking less of a cut will have an edge on contested recruits. That's technically true, yet we have to acknowledge that some schools have the financial freedom to make more pro-player decisions. It would be better if Governor Brian Kemp capped out the cut schools can take so we could avoid these unnecessary advantages.

Athletes don't need to be wealthy and ruin the integrity of college sports, however signing $50,000 deals to potentially pocket just $12,500? Absolutely ridiculous. This is a battle that'll eventually push even further towards the players -- it's just a matter of when. Hopefully we find a happy middle ground because this ain't it.