ATLANTA – The Georgia General Assembly is tackling the issue of name, image, likeness agreements when it comes to young athletes in the Peach State. 

What is an NIL deal?

The backstory:

The debate centers on name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, which allow student-athletes to earn compensation through brand endorsements, social media partnerships, and public appearances. 

While collegiate athletes have utilized NIL since 2021, the Georgia High School Association recently cleared the way for high schoolers to do the same. 

However, Georgia lawmakers are now moving to regulate these agreements, aiming to prevent “predatory” long-term contracts that could bind minors to agents or brands well beyond their graduation dates.

What is HB 383?

What we know:

House lawmakers have introduced the “Georgia High School NIL Protection Act.” House Bill 383 would require that NIL contracts end at graduation. 

An NIL contract lets high school athletes make money by using their name, image, and likeness—such as promoting a brand or posting on social media—while they’re still in school. 

If passed, it will ensure high school athletes are free to negotiate new contracts if they go on to compete at the college level.

‘The genie is too far gone’

What they’re saying:

Democratic state Rep. Dewey McClain (D-Lawrenceville) is co-sponsoring the legislation. As a former NFL player, he understands how vulnerable high school athletes can be when securing an agent for NIL deals.

“Right now, before the genie is too far gone… we need to make sure we can put some guardrails on,” McClain explained.

Republican state Rep. Brent Cox (R-Dawsonville) is sponsoring the bipartisan bill. If passed, it will ensure high school athletes are free to negotiate new contracts if they compete at the college level.

“Once they graduate high school, those contracts that they have with their agents [are] null and void,” Cox explained. “That way, they’re not held hostage in college or even at the professional level, where a cut of the money that they would make would continue to go on indefinitely without sunsets.”

Georgia PoliticsMoneyNewsHigh School Sports

An internet-famous bagel chain that’s all about sharing and considers itself “not famous, but known,” is popping up on the Atlanta Beltline.

It’s called PopUp Bagels, and its business model is designed for offices, friend groups, and anyone who believes food is better when it’s shared.

The PopUp Bagels team, based in New York City, made its way to The A to launch Georgia’s first-ever store.

They gave CBS News Atlanta Mornings a preview of the store the day before their Friday grand opening.

“We sell community,” said founder Adam Goldberg, “Let’s grab a bag of bagels, stuff them on the table, and rip in. Maybe I’ll have a little of your schmear. You’ll have a little of my schmear, and we’ll all just schmear together.”

The schmear is part of their signature selling point. It’s a bowl of cream cheese, original or flavored, that comes with your order of three, six, or 12 bagels.

The point is to rip the bagels, reveal their hot, fluffy interior, and dip them into the schmear.

There are two flavored schmears sold on a weekly rotating menu in addition to the three standard flavors of plain, salted butter, and scallion. The Atlanta store opens with a peach-flavored schmear, an exclusive temporary third option.

“It’s definitely like a social experiment,” said Janvi Patel, owner of the Atlanta shop, “It’s like so nice to just like grab like six people, get a dozen bagels, and try shmears. It’s just it’s exciting.”

PopUp managers say more stores are coming to the area, with the next set to open in Buckhead, then another in Dunwoody.

The Beltline store is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and stays open until 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

In:

ATHENS, Ga. — The University of Georgia men’s tennis team will host No. 20 Duke in the home opener on Friday, February 6 at 5:30 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.  The match will be played indoors at the Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Facility. 
 
Match 4 – Georgia vs. No. 20 Duke
Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
5:30 p.m.
Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Facility
Livestreaming and scoring: https://gado.gs/91i
Instagram: @UGATennis | X: @UGATennis | Facebook: UGAMensTennis
 
BULLDOG BULLETIN
Fresh From the Start: Since 2000, Georgia is 24-3 in season openers. The Bulldogs defeated Georgia Tech in the 2026 season opener to extend the all-time series to 75-18, including a 15-match winning streak dating back to 2011.  
 
Bulldogs in the rankings: One doubles pair and five singles are in the rankings this week (Feb. 4): 
 
SINGLES
WIll Jansen- No. 28
Arda Azkara– No. 39
Santiago Giamichelle– No. 63
Noah Johnston– No. 83
Gabriele Vulpitta– No. 109
 
DOUBLES
Derrick Chen/Santiago Giamichelle– No. 53
 
Last Time Out: The Bulldogs finished second in the Fort Worth bracket of the ITA Kickoff.  The Bulldogs first beat Boise State, 5-0 and after two days of snow delays, fell to TCU, 4-1.  
 
All Time History vs Duke: The Bulldogs hold a 9-2 record against the Blue Devils. The teams last faced off since the 2011 NCAA Tournament in Stanford, California with the Bulldogs winning, 4-1.