Sen. Ricketts introduces bill to let international student-athletes make NIL deals

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska wants international student-athletes to be able to receive name, image and likeness money.

The Republican introduced the bill on Tuesday with Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.

NIL is how student-athletes get paid by marketing themselves and striking deals with businesses.

But not all athletes are equal.

“None of our international students are able to do those type of activities because that’s considered off-campus employment,” said Jonathan Bateman, assistant athletic director of NIL strategic governance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Under U.S. law, international students can only work on campus. And because NIL deals happen outside the school, they’re not allowed.

“International student-athletes who violate the terms of their visa might face severe consequences,” Ricketts said. “For example, the government can terminate the player’s visa status and withhold benefits like green cards in the future.”

The bill, called the Name Image and Likeness for International Collegiate Athletes Act, would create a subcategory of the student visa that would provide work authorization for NIL activity.

That’s as long as the student are progressing in their degree program.

Currently, international students, like Nebraska basketball stars Jaz Shelley and Keisei Tominaga, are only allowed make money on themselves if they’re in their home country.

That’s because U.S. law doesn’t apply there.

“International student-athletes should be able to pursue the same opportunities as their fellow athletes, from hosting summer camps for kids to appearing at events,” Ricketts said.