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Georgia senate passes ‘Gurley Bill’ enabling jail time for player payment
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The Georgia State Senate is hoping a recently passed bill involving player payment will deter autograph brokers like the infamous Bryan Allen from player payment in the future.
According to the St. Augustine Record, the Georgia State Senate passed the ‘Todd Gurley Bill’, 48-4, on Tuesday which prohibits memorabilia brokers from seeking payment from college players. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Tuesday that violators of the law could be subject to a $5,000 fine and a year of jail time.
Gurley was suspended four games last season after accepting $400 for signing his name on 80 items — including jerseys, footballs and helmets — which Allen intended to sell at a later date. The two met long before the 2014 season began in Allen’s 2002 Lexus.
Allen eventually told on himself after competitors were also trying to push Gurley autographed items, resulting in NCAA action.
“I never wanted to screw over Gurley,” Allen said in December. “I never wanted to screw over their fans or anything like that. That was never my intention. I wish I had never even gone down there. It’s not worth it.”
Governor Nathan Deal is expected to sign the bill into law.
