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NFL·TRANSACTION·May 25, 2026 09:33 PM ET

DeSantis Signs Teddy Bridgewater Act Into Florida Law

Florida coaches can now pay players directly.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated May 261 min read
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More about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signing the “Teddy Bridgewater Act” into law on Friday: https://t.co/iAbXL38pr3

What happened: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the "Teddy Bridgewater Act" into law on Friday. The measure allows middle and high school head coaches in the state to spend up to $15,000 of their own money to support their programs and players. The law is named for former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, a Miami native.

Why it matters: The law reshapes the youth and prep football landscape in one of the nation's most talent-rich states, raising questions about competitive balance when coaches can personally fund their rosters. Critics argue it opens the door for wealthy programs to assemble "super teams," while supporters frame it as backing for under-resourced communities. The change carries long-term implications for the recruiting pipeline that feeds college and NFL ranks.

What to watch: Watch for how Florida high school athletic associations interpret and enforce the spending cap, and whether other states pursue similar legislation.

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