Calif.’s move may force NCAA to alter stance on athlete compensation

The NCAA wants a level playing field for all athletes, even if state law proposals threaten its longtime model for amateur sports.

With the California Assembly considering a potentially landmark measure that would allow athletes at state colleges and universities to profit from the use of their names, likenesses and images, an NCAA working group is trying to figure out how to respond.

Some legal experts believe there is only one realistic option.

“I think the most likely outcome is that the NCAA modifies its rules to some extent,”said Gabe Feldman, director of the Tulane Sports Law Program. “Whether that’s enough to make California back off, I don’t know. But if I had to guess, I’d say this is likely to lead to some (rules) changes.”

The NCAA Board of Governors appointed the 19-member working group in May. Gene Smith, the Ohio State athletic director who co-chairs the group with Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman, issued a statement back then that reinforced the NCAA’s longheld position: The committee will not support paying students like school employees.

Three weeks ago, the group acknowledged it was discussing changing rules, policies and practices. It did not provide specifics and the NCAA this past week declined to make members of the group available for interviews. Formal recommendations are expected to be made at the board’s quarterly meeting in October.

Feldman said he believes the least contentious option would be allowing athletes to receive some money.