The Road to the Return of ‘EA Sports College Football’

California state senator Nancy Skinner long had an interest in college athletes’ rights. But she was particularly inspired by a talk about athletes’ economic rights given by Schwarz at the Rotary Club of Oakland while she was running for office. In 2019, Skinner finally introduced a bill that would force the NCAA to let players profit off NIL in California. “Had I introduced my law when I first wanted to in 2017, I’m not sure if we would’ve been able to get it through,” Skinner tells FOS. “By the time I introduced it, you had so many things falling into place.” 

Despite facing major lobbying opposition from California universities and public threats from the NCAA, the bill passed almost unanimously. It set off a chain reaction nationwide. Huma helped usher bills in almost a dozen other states—so many that by the end of 2020, it was clear the NCAA would have to allow NIL. 

For the full report, click here.