NCAA Allows Athletes Profit off of their Likeness
The NCAA an institution that has been built on the backs of amateur athletes and under the premise that these athletes participate in these lucrative events in exchange for free education has changed their whole point of view. The NCAA on Wednesday June 30th agreed to allow college athletes to make money of their Name, Image and Likeness as of July 1 2021. In layman’s terms these athletes are now able to ink endorsement deals, sell autographs and even profit off YouTube and other social media outlets.
Why the sudden change of heart, has the mighty NCAA and board of directors finally seen the error of their ways. Is this a moment of repentance or just way to stay ahead of the negative publicity that will loom within the legacy of the NCAA. This decision was actually prompted by the not only pressure growing increasingly unbearable from political point of views but legal stand point was in question as well. States from Alabama to Oregon were hours away from implementing laws that would challenge the NCAA’s old amateur rules when the board of directors rescinded the rule (even in states that were not in danger of these new laws). To be clear the original rule stated players were not allowed “to advertise, recommend or promote directly the sale or use of a commercial property or service of any kind”. Just the thought of rescinding the before mentioned rule should blow your mind when you calculate the possible millions that awaits these children.
Though I am happy to see that these kids who have worked so hard are now have an opportunity to earn fraction of what the schools are earning off them. It would be quite an ignominious display to celebrate these steps forward without questioning how will NCAA rectify it’s past. Will Reggie Bush get his Heisman back? Will the Fab 5’s legacy be vindicated? Hell , will Myles Bridges get his $40 back? Only time will tell. Many people from the barber shops to the boardrooms differ on the opinion of what should happen but what’s not questionable is the immediate effect it will have on recruiting.
Now schools with very high powered Alumni will be feared due to possible added endorsements for the schools recruits pick. I wonder will this change how AAU will be viewed? Will top tier EYBL games be filled with more commercial entities than college coaches? Most importantly with the ongoing issue of wage disparities between male and female sports how will this translates to this new terrain of the NCAA and possible endorsers? Like I said before I am happy for these kids and excited they will be paid. It seems the rule change has led to more questions than answers . This rule change and how things are moving forward will be legacy over the NCAA. Those that sacrificed their college career to pursue the life their hard work has afforded them you are the martyrs. This is your win too, and the NCAA can never take that away,…..again.
