NCAA collegiate athletes are that much closer to being able to earn money for competition.
This week, the NCAA Council met to discuss and review legislation for the future of name, image and likeness of student athletes while competing. The result? The NCAA panel of representatives from all 32 Division I conferences approved legislation that will grant name, image and likeness rights to athletes.
“This is an important milestone in the progress toward modernizing Division I rules to better support student-athletes in all of their endeavors,” said Council chair M. Grace Calhoun per release. “We know additional refinements may be needed as we make sure modifications are fair, recognize the importance of the current recruiting structure and that every student-athlete has the same opportunity to benefit.”
What Does This Mean?
Up until now, student athletes have been unable to earn money based off their talents outside of their scholarship terms. NIL is groundbreaking and a major step forward for individual brands and will change the collegiate landscape as we know it. But it does not mean athlete will be paid by their schools, it means they can earn money with far fewer restrictions now than ever before. But how?
Athletes could now earn money for autographs and personal appearances. It would allow student-athletes to use their NIL to promote camps and clinics, private lessons, their own products and services to earn money.
Student-athletes would be allowed to promote crowd funding techniques for nonprofits or charitable organizations, catastrophic events and family hardships.
However, student-athletes would not be allowed to use their Universities logo or mark in any promotion, advertisements, endorsements or personal appearances. Commercial products that conflict with current NCAA legislation like sports betting, would also not be allowed.
The proposals still needs to be officially approved, which will take place during early January, 2021.
