INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA has voted to loosen its rules on whether a student-athlete can profit off their likeness while still maintaining their athletic eligibility.
The organization, based in Indianapolis, announced Tuesday by 2021 student-athlete will be able to profit off the use of their name, likeness, and/or image. The vote calls for each of the NCAA’s three divisions to draw up new rules and policies by no later than January 2021.
Michael Drake, chair of the NCAA Board of Governors and president of Ohio State University, says the organization must embrace change to provide the best possible experience for college athletes.
“Additional flexibility in this area can and must continue to support college sports as a part of higher education,” Drake said in a news release. “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.”
The board’s vote also outlines that the rules and policies must clearly reaffirm that student-athletes are students first and not employees of the university, enhance principles of diversity, inclusion and gender equity, and make clear the distinction between collegiate and professional opportunities.
Inside Indiana Business sports contributor Bill Benner is of the “old school” mentality on this issue meaning he believes a free college education is enough compensation for put on a uniform and representing your school in athletics.
“That’s said, I do understand the changing landscape,” Benner said. “I’m sympathetic to athletes like Lilly King, the Indiana University and Olympic swimmer, who had national and world stature from her Olympic success, but could not capitalize off it without relinquishing her college eligibility.”
Benner is careful to warn that he hopes this isn’t the beginning of a slippery slope that fosters a culture of “under the table deals” and other things that could create an unfair advantage for certain schools when it comes to certain sports.
He said the new rules must be written in such a way that allows the NCAA to continue to “legislate a level playing field” within college sports.