South Carolina Governor Vetoes Bill to Keep NIL Contracts Private

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South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has vetoed a bill that would have kept collegiate name, image, and likeness (NIL) contracts private and exempt them from public record requests. McMaster said the bill 'goes too far' in shielding information from public view, as it would preclude disclosure of any records related to revenue sharing from NIL deals.

Why it matters

This veto highlights the ongoing debate around balancing student-athlete privacy rights and the public's right to transparency in how public funds are used for collegiate athletics programs. The decision could impact how NIL deals are handled and reported in South Carolina going forward.

The details

The bill, which passed the state Senate 30-13 and the House 111-2, would have shielded college athletes' NIL contracts from public records requests under the state's Freedom of Information Act. However, McMaster said the bill 'goes too far' by concealing not just individual records but also 'the anonymous aggregate records of each sports program.' He argued this conflicts with the public's right to know how public funds are being spent.

• The bill was sent to the governor's desk after passing the Senate on March 5, 2026.
• McMaster issued his veto on March 12, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The bill now heads back to the state legislature, where two-thirds of both the House and Senate must vote to override McMaster's veto in order for the bill to become law.