As anyone who follows college sports knows, sometimes NCAA athletes get paid to play.
Now, finally, the NCAA is considering implementing a system which will make it legal.
According to college sports’ governing body, a working group is being convened to explore the possibility of allowing student-athletes to make a profit from their names, images and likenesses.
Comprised of member representatives from all three NCAA divisions, the NCAA Board of Governors Federal and State Legislation Working Group will be headed up by Big East Conference commissioner Val Ackerman and Ohio State University athletics director Gene Smith.
“This group will bring together diverse opinions from the membership — from presidents and commissioners to student-athletes — that will examine the NCAA’s position on name, image and likeness benefits and potentially propose rule modifications tethered to education,” Ackerman said. “We believe the time is right for these discussions and look forward to a thorough assessment of the many complexities involved in this area.”
Though it will examine compensating players for use of their names, images and likenesses, the Working Group will not consider any system which compensates NCAA athletes simply for playing sports.
“While the formation of this group is an important step to confirming what we believe as an association, the group’s work will not result in paying students as employees,” Smith said. “That structure is contrary to the NCAA’s educational mission and will not be a part of this discussion.”
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