NCAA votes to ‘enhance opportunities’ for athletes

The NCAA’S board of governors voted unanimously on Tuesday to allow student-athletes to benefit from the “use of their name, image and likeness,” the organization announced in a news release.

Any bylaw updates would apply to athletes in all three NCAA divisions. The board asked each division to begin to draw up the new rules beginning immediately and no later than January 2021.

The news release didn’t specify how changes would be implemented, but said the following areas should be addressed:

Assure student-athletes are

■

treated similarly to non-athlete students unless a compelling reason exists to differentiate.

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 athletic performance or participation is impermissible.

Reaffirm that student-athletes

■

are students first and not employees of the university.

Protect the recruiting environment

■ and prohibit inducements to select, remain at, or transfer to a specific institution.

“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,” said Mark Emmert, the NCAA president.

“The board’s action today creates a path to enhance opportunities for student-athletes while ensuring they compete against students and not professionals.”

Last month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that would allow student-athletes in the state, beginning in 2023, to profit form their own name, image and likeness.

Several other states, including Florida, have launched similar discussions.