LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel says that he’ll back proposed legislation that would make it a felony for sports agents to give cash or gifts to student-athletes to entice them to sign a contract.
Such activity is now a misdemeanor in Arkansas but would become a felony if a bill proposed Thursday by freshman Republican state lawmaker David Sanders is approved.
The new law would increase the maximum fine that could be imposed on offenders from the current $50,000 to $250,000.
It would extend the penalties to anyone who seeks financial benefits for a contract, including a student-athlete’s parents.
McDaniel says the proposed legislation has broad bipartisan support and that he expects it to pass easily.
