The NCAA’s announcement on Tuesday begins the process of allowing NCAA players to profit off their image and likeness.
The NCAA Board of Governors released a statement on Tuesday stating that they have begun the process of allowing collegiate athletes the ability to “benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness.”
According to the Associated Press News, board chair Michael V. Drake cited a need to “embrace change to provide the best possible experience for college athletes.”
But, that’s not the whole story. Wording in the announcement made it clear that weren’t looking to make a big change just yet.
According to USA Today, the NCAA did not actually change any of their bylaws, but instead sent a statement saying their three divisions (DI, DII, and DIII) should “consider updates” to their bylaws.
A phrase used in the announcement, “…in a manner consistent with the collegiate model,” shows that nothing really is changing yet, as the collegiate model doesn’t currently allow players to get paid.
The announcement gets people talking and it seems to be a step in the right direction, but nothing has officially changed yet. Players still can’t make money off their likeness until January 2021 at the earliest.
In the past, players caught accepting money for anything related to college athletics without express permission have often faced consequences, including in 2010 when former USC running back Reggie Bush was forced to forfeit his Heisman Trophy for accepting gifts, paid-for trips, and money during his 2005 award winning season.
This announcement could be the first step to making that no longer an issue, but it could mean nothing. And it will likely be quite some time before actual changes happen.
A California law stating that all college athletes could sign endorsement deals without facing consequences (such as being removed from a team or losing a scholarship) from schools is set to take effect in 2023.
This announcement from the NCAA could be them trying to get ahead of laws being passed by other states. And if laws like that California law continue to be passed, it’s only a matter of time before the NCAA makes real changes.