COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) NCAA Board of Governors approves allowing endorsements for student-athletes. The NCAA says it will soon implement a significant rule change, allowing student-athletes to make money for endorsements, a major change in the classic definition of amateurism by the NCAA. The NCAA Board of Governors announced its decision Wednesday morning, a decision which will allow NCAA athletes to receive compensation for the use of their name, image and likeness. The Boards recommendations are expected to be adopted in January of next year, with the intent for the rules to take effect ahead of the 2021-2022 NCAA academic year. Ohio State President Dr. Michael Drake and OSU Athletic Director Gene Smith both serve on the committee. In recent months the NCAA has faced increased pressure to change its rules as state governments, such as California, have passed legislation allowing college students within the state to receive money for endorsements. The NCAA says athletes will be permitted to identify themselves by their name and their school, but they will not be allowed to use school logos or trademarks in the endorsements. Schools will not be permitted to pay athletes for the same purpose. The NCAA says it continues to ban pay-to-play situations where recruits receive money or other benefits in exchange for signing with a school, and student-athletes will not be paid by member schools. Smith says schools must educate students about the potential ramifications of accepting endorsement money, including potential loss of eligibility for scholarships, pell grants, etc. Smith says at this point theres no limit to the amount of money athletes could potentially receive. The rule change will face some hurdles and the NCAA says it will seek oversight from Congress in the implementation of the rules. Among the most pressing issues is how to determine fair market value for athletes endorsements, in particular with social media where value of posts can vary significantly, and how to enforce oversight to ensure schools are competing in an equal marketplace. Also of note, how athletes will be permitted to seek guidance on how to manage endorsement opportunities and how agents or representatives could be involved.
Good news. While I think paying athletes would irrevocably damage college sports, there is no reason that the best players shouldn't be able to leverage their stardom if they can.
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