Los Angeles (AFP)

NBA star LeBron James has stepped up to defend a California bill that paves the way for possible compensation for university athletes, which is strongly rejected by the powerful University Federation (NCAA).

The California State Parliament sent Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday the bill that would allow university athletes to be compensated for the use of their name, image or representation.

The NCAA, which organizes in particular the very popular NBA antechamber university basketball championship, believes in a letter that with such a text "the crucial distinction between university and professional sports would disappear" and that the Californian universities concerned would have an advantage in recruitment.

According to the rules of the organization, "they would no longer be able to compete in NCAA competitions."

The Los Angeles Lakers winger responded Wednesday on Twitter: "With this bill, you can work with everyone to create a national policy that is fair to athletes."

The current NCAA rules on amateur sport prohibit university athletes from being compensated for their performances and the use of their name and image, even though their performances bring millions of dollars to some schools.

LeBron James, 34, has never been to the NCAA. He joined the NBA in 2003 straight after high school, drafted first by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But the bill could concern his son. The performance of the 14-year-old Los Angeles player is already being watched closely.

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