The NCAA is forming a working group to consider how its rules can be modified to allow college athletes to be compensated for their names, images and likenesses. The NCAA made it clear, however, that the group would not consider anything that could be construed as paying athletes.
NCAA president Mark Emmert and the board of governors announced Tuesday that Big East commissioner Val Ackerman will head the new federal and state legislation working group.
NCAA rules forbid athletes in most circumstances from receiving benefits or compensation from a school or outside source for their names, images and likenesses. For example, college athletes cannot take part in commercial advertising or sign autographs for money.
Todd Gurley is among several notable athletes suspended by the NCAA for receiving money for autographs. In 2014, Gurley, then with the University of Georgia, received a four-game suspension after an investigation determined that he had received $3,000 over two years for signed autographs and memorabilia.
The NCAA’s rules have been challenged in federal antitrust lawsuits. Recently, legislation was introduced in Congress aimed at lifting restrictions that keep athletes from profiting from their fame while they are in school.
Congressman Mark Walker of North Carolina is working to advance such a bill to the House Ways and Means committee.
“I am thankful the NCAA has created a working group to examine my Student-Athlete Equity Act and how it will empower college athletes with free-market opportunities,” Walker said in response to the NCAA’s announcement. “While this is encouraging, the NCAA has claimed to study this issue for years. Now they need to act to fix the injustices in their model, protect athletes and save the college sports we love.”
“The NCAA is profiting on the backs of unpaid labor, and I’ve felt like maybe it’s time where we’ve reached a place to right this wrong.
“Student-athletes are the only ones on a college campus who have to sign over their rights to their image. And 99 percent of these student-athletes will never receive any kind of compensation from a professional sports organization, so you’re basically stymying any type of growth and networking. It just doesn’t make any sense.”
The working group includes members from all three divisions of the NCAA.
“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, commissioner of the Big East and working group co-chair, said in the release. “We believe the time is right for these discussions and look forward to a thorough assessment of the many complexities involved in this area.”
Gene Smith, Ohio State senior vice president and athletics director and working group co-chair, reiterated that paying players was not under consideration.
“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 in the NAA release. “That structure is contrary to the NCAA’s educational mission and will not be a part of this discussion.”
ESPN’s David Hale and The Associated Press contributed to this report.