UofL and UK athletic directors discuss new federal NIL measure with Kentucky lawmakers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky athletic directors went to Frankfort Thursday to talk to leaders about a new Name, Image, and Likeness measure introduced at the federal level.

The Score Act would regulate NIL deals for student-athletes across the country.

"It clarifies that student athletes are not employees," UofL Athletic Director Josh Heird said. "And this idea that they are I just I think it's inaccurate, I really do."

For UK Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart, the federal act helps, but there is still more work to be done.

"At the end of the day, the Score Act helps us, to be honest with you," Barnhart said. "We got work to do, a lot of work to do to get it through the House and then it has to go through the Senate clearly. So there's a, it's a long runway here."

Heird and Barnhart also gave an update Thursday on Senate Bill 3, which was a state bill that Governor Andy Beshear signed into law earlier this year, allows Kentucky universities to directly pay their student-athletes through a revenue sharing model.

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