McCarter partner Ira Gonzalez, Co-Managing Partner of the firm’s Miami office, participated in the Florida House of Representatives’ Combined Workgroup on Collegiate Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Ira joins a small group of coaches, student athletes, and other stakeholders to shape how the state legislature understands and will manage NIL in Florida, including the legal rights of student athletes, the legal responsibility of education institutions, and the impact of those rights and responsibilities on public universities in the state.
“I was honored to have received an invitation to serve as a panelist from the Combined Workgroup on Collegiate NIL established by Speaker Daniel Perez, composed of members of the Education & Employment Committee, the Higher Education Budget Subcommittee, and the Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee to discuss policies at the collegiate level, which raise critical issues such as the legal rights of student athletes, the legal responsibilities of our educational institutions, and the impact of those rights and responsibilities on the finances of our public universities. Representative Alex Rizo led the engaged discussion about the preliminarily-approved House settlement and its major implications for college athletics,” Gonzalez said.
“Along with other distinguished panelists, which included college coaches, university athletic directors, administrators, and general counsel, along with former and current student athletes, I was fortunate to provide testimony on Day 1 and Day 2 of the hearings. These hearings further allowed state representatives to brainstorm whether a solution to the NIL issues exist – and if so – whether the Legislature or others are best equipped to advance such solutions. Our engagement provided the legislator to develop a plan of action, which may include policies they wish to pursue, or engage in a national conversation with other states and Congress.”