The 25-member NCAA Board of Governors voted unanimously in favor of student-athletes profiting of the use of their name, image and likeliness, according to a Tuesday press release.
The Board of Governors announced in the release the moderinization will focus on the following principles and guidlines:
- Assure student-athletes are treated similarly to non-athlete students unless a compelling reason exists to differentiate.
- Maintain the priorities of education and the collegiate experience to provide opportunities for student-athlete success.
- Ensure rules are transparent, focused and enforceable and facilitate fair and balanced competition.
- Make clear the distinction between collegiate and professional opportunities.
- Make clear that compensation for athletics performance or participation is impermissible.
- Reaffirm that student-athletes are students first and not employees of the university.
- Enhance principles of diversity, inclusion and gender equity.
- Protect the recruiting environment and prohibit inducements to select, remain at, or transfer to a specific institution.
The NCAA president and Board of Governors appointed a working group in May to examine the concerns voiced in proposed federal and state laws, according to the release.
The 19-member working group — made up of representatives from all three divisions — was tasked with writing a set of overarching principles to help each division navigate through consistent legislation, according to a May press release.
The NCAA Board of Governors Federal and State Legislation Working Group presented the recommendation of its findings to the Board of Governors Tuesday.
“As a national governing body, the NCAA is uniquely positioned to modify its rules to ensure fairness and a level playing field for student-athletes,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in the Tuesday release. “The board’s action today creates a path to enhance opportunities for student-athletes while ensuring they compete against students and not professionals.”
This is a developing story. Check back with Knight News for updates.
