SC Colleges Can Keep Athlete Pay Details Secret, For Now

State legislature overrides governor's veto to exempt schools from disclosing individual athlete compensation.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:18pm

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The South Carolina legislature has voted to override the governor's veto, allowing the state's public colleges to keep secret the details of how much they pay individual student-athletes. This new law will remain in effect until the NCAA or Congress acts to require more transparency around these payments.

Why it matters

The move comes in response to a public records lawsuit filed against the University of South Carolina by a local businessman seeking information about the school's payments to Gamecock football players. Several other states have passed similar laws to shield this financial data from public view, arguing it puts their schools at a competitive recruiting disadvantage.

The details

The new law only requires colleges to disclose their total payout to all athletes schoolwide, rather than payments to individual athletes or on a team-by-team basis. Supporters say this protection is needed as schools prepare for the NCAA to start requiring more detailed financial reporting on athlete compensation next year.

  • The Senate voted 30-12 on Wednesday to override the governor's veto.
  • The House previously voted 88-22 to override the veto, giving the legislature the required two-thirds vote in both chambers.
  • The new law takes effect immediately, ahead of the start of football signing season in early December.

The players

Henry McMaster

The governor of South Carolina who vetoed the bill, arguing it went too far in shielding individual athlete payment details from public view.

Sen. Tom Young

The Aiken Republican who led the effort to override the governor's veto, arguing schools need this protection until the NCAA or Congress acts.

Frank Heindel

A Mount Pleasant businessman who sued the University of South Carolina seeking details on its payments to Gamecock football players.

University of South Carolina

A public university in South Carolina that was sued by Heindel for details on its athlete compensation.

Clemson University

A public university in South Carolina that plans to spend the full $20.5 million allowed under the recent legal settlement for direct payments to student-athletes.

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What they’re saying

“Our schools are still going to be at a competitive disadvantage if the information is not protected later this year, when they are in their recruiting cycles.”

— Sen. Tom Young, Aiken Republican

“This is where South Carolina should draw the line, too.”

— Gov. Henry McMaster

What’s next

The NCAA is expected to require all member schools to make sport-specific disclosures in their annual financial reports starting next year, which could prompt further changes to South Carolina's law.

The takeaway

This legislation highlights the ongoing tension between transparency and competitive recruiting advantages as college sports grapple with the new era of direct athlete compensation. While South Carolina has shielded these details for now, the issue is likely to continue evolving at both the state and national level.