It has been a bedrock principle behind college sports: Student-athletes should not be paid beyond the costs of attending a university. California threatened that standard on Monday after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill to allow players to strike endorsement deals and hire agents. Why is that? The N. Both the N. With limited exceptions, the schools and the N. Students will also be permitted to hire agents, a move now restricted. Skinner introduced the legislation in February, and Newsom said he had not expected it to reach his desk. Still, sensing erucation severity of the legislative threat from California, as well as from a handful of other states and Congress, the N. At least on this issue, the sentiment was bipartisan; the bill passed unanimously. Like Newsom, Senator Brian Jones, a Republican from San Diego County who supported the legislation, doubted that the leaders in college sports would pull together quick reforms. The legislation left open the possibility that California cou...