Baton Rouge, Louisiana. — In a move to address ongoing changes in college athletics, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order on May 13, 2025, designed to protect the state’s student-athletes from falling behind as national debates continue over name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation.

The executive order, which takes immediate effect, aims to ensure that Louisiana’s colleges and universities remain competitive as courts and lawmakers across the nation reshape rules for how student-athletes can profit from their NIL — a term referring to the use of an athlete’s personal brand in endorsements, advertising, and social media.

Governor Addresses Fairness and Competition

“Louisiana is proud to be home to student-athletes who consistently compete and win at the highest levels of college athletics,” Governor Landry said in a statement. “As national policies and developments continue to reshape the landscape of college sports, this executive order is about fairness—for our Louisiana students, our schools, and our athletes.”

The issue of NIL has become a central topic in college sports after court rulings and legislation opened the door for student-athletes to earn money from their athletic fame. However, a lack of federal laws has led to a patchwork of state rules, creating uncertainty for schools and athletes.

Key Provisions of the Executive Order

The executive order includes several important protections and guidelines:

• Institutional Protection: Louisiana’s public colleges and universities will be shielded from negative actions taken by the NCAA, athletic conferences, or other governing bodies if they help facilitate or directly offer NIL compensation to student-athletes. This means schools do not risk penalties for supporting their athletes’ rights to profit from their personal brand.
• Use of State Funds Prohibited: The order makes clear that state-allocated funds — money provided by taxpayers and the government — cannot be used to pay student-athletes for their NIL. This ensures that compensation comes from private sources, such as businesses or sponsorships, not from educational budgets.
• Temporary Measure: The executive order will remain in place until either federal NIL legislation is passed or a proposed nationwide NIL settlement becomes effective, whichever happens first. This temporary approach allows Louisiana to adapt quickly as the national situation evolves.

Support from Higher Education Leaders

The move has earned support from leaders in Louisiana’s higher education and athletic communities. LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward praised the order, saying, “This will afford all higher education institutions in the state of Louisiana the ability to remain nimble and at the forefront of the ever-changing college athletics landscape.”

Roman Banks, Director of Athletics at Southern University, also expressed gratitude. “I want to thank Governor Landry for the leadership he has demonstrated by signing this executive order, and for his commitment to supporting Louisiana colleges, universities and our student-athletes by providing stability in the current landscape of collegiate sports,” Banks said.