NCAA to set interim rules allowing athletes to profit by July

NCAA president Mark Emmert is working to set interim rules allowing college players to profit from name, image and likeness by July.

The NCAA isn’t known for acting quickly, but recent developments on the amateurism front are forcing their hand.

On Wednesday, NCAA president Mark Emmert penned a memo to member schools revealing the NCAA’s plan to have a set of interim rules in place allowing players to profit by July, according to ESPN.

“Although permanent NIL rule changes by July 1 are unlikely due to the legal environment, we are working with divisional governance bodies to develop interim solutions that will fairly allow student-athletes to take advantage of NIL opportunities regardless of the state in which they are enrolled,” Emmert wrote in the memo.

The NCAA is working to have profit rules in place by July

It’s critical for the NCAA to be on top of this, because college sports could turn into the wild west in just over a month if they don’t. Six states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas, have laws going into effect on July 1, which would allow athletes to receive third-party payments to profit off their name, image and likeness. There are several other states with legislation pending.

Players and schools need clarity about what will and won’t be allowed as the college sports world enters a new era.

The NCAA was just handed a major defeat with the Supreme Court decision in the Alston antitrust case on non-cash compensation for athletes. While that ruling doesn’t directly impact NIL rules, it’s clear the current model is crumbling.

At least the NCAA isn’t dragging their feet completely.

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