NCAA to allow college athletes to be paid for their names, images and likenesses
NCAA to allow college athletes to be paid for their names, images and likenesses pexels.com

The Board of Governors voted NCAA to allow college athletes to be paid as a compensation for their names, images and likenesses.


Why it is important: At the finale, California won. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill last September that allows the college athletes of the state to accept endorsement offers by 2023. This resulted to an end in decades-long precedent set by the NCAA to restrict collegiate athletes from being paid.

  • The NCAA disputed fervently against California's bill, appealing it was unconstitutional.
  • The bill affects the California players' eligibility, perhaps ultimately twisting the pillars of the NCAA.
  • This Californian law is similar with the kind of legislation Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are supporting.


What are their opinions: The board's chair and Ohio State University's president, Michael V. Drake, believes that change must be embraced to provide the best possible experience for college athletes. The ruling that NCAA must allow college athletes to be paid was deliberated beforehand it was made a law.

"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."


NCAA coaches respond to California law allowing college athletes to be paid.


Given that the NCAA stands firm against the new regulation that college students can accept endorsement money, the coaches have different views about the legislation and what it means.

Some coaches, like Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, consider the law as a sign of changing times. Others are waiting for its future effects in California. Amendments may still happen by 2023 and many believe that you can only judge what you see.

See Also: NCAA to Block DFS March Madness TV Ads

Basketball coaches statements

  • Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski: He didn't deny nor pretend to understand all the complexities of such a major change. But he did affirm his belief that this change is something that the college athletics must continually adapt to
  • Lousiville coach Chris Mack: He said that if this issue arose from four or five years ago, he may not support it as well. However, through the years networks are changing and NCAA doesn't make the most out of the available resources to help the student-athletes. Chis Mack is on the side that thinks student-athletes should be able to capitalize on their name, image and likeness.


Football coaches, statements

  • Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher: He knows that this will surely change how things are done. And what makes him more anxious is the next step of NCAA that will make them accountable for the future adjustment.
  • Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly: For him, he stay in the present and don't get too far ahead of himself, and [the bill takes effect] four years down the road. So he thinks if it was next year, he might probably have some more formulated opinion on it. According to Kelly, four years allow for a lot of wiggle room to maneuver around negotiations and talking back and forth amongst the NCAA and universities. So for him there's plenty of time for a dialogue. He believes that there's no need to rant and comment on something that is that far down the line.