The NCAA's Board of Governors voted Tuesday to allow college athletes to receive compensation for their names, images and likenesses.

Why it matters: In the end, California won. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into in September that allows the state's college athletes to accept endorsement deals by 2023, upending the decades-long precedent set by the NCAA to prevent collegiate athletes from being paid.

The NCAA argued fervently against California's bill, claiming it was "unconstitutional."

It risked making California players ineligible, perhaps ultimately twisting the NCAA's arm get on board and work to find a middle ground.

The California law touched off a wave of similar pushes around the country — with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis supporting similar legislation.

What they're saying: Michael V. Drake, the board's chair and president of the Ohio State University, said in a statement, "We must embrace change to provide the best possible experience for college athletes."

"This modernization for the future is a natural extension of the numerous steps NCAA members have taken in recent years to improve support for student-athletes, including full cost of attendance and guaranteed scholarships."

Go deeper: NCAA coaches react to California law allowing student-athletes to be paid