NCAA to seek temporary NIL rules for student-athletes to be compensated

NCAA president Mark Emmert sent a memo to schools this past week stating he plans to introduce temporary rules to allow student-athletes to be compensated for their name, image, and likeness if changes are not made by July, according to Ralph D. Russo of the Associated Press.

Emmert urged schools to pass legislation that would allow collegiate athletes to be compensated for sponsorships and endorsements. The NCAA head proposed the temporary rules in an effort to minimize conflicts among NIL opportunities across all states.

Current NCAA guidelines prohibit athletes from being paid for their likeness. Emmert does clarify that student-athletes in states where NIL laws are set to go into effect this year will not have to be concerned about eligibility issues.

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Mississippi are among states where NIL laws go into effect starting in July.

All three NCAA divisions have been working to lift restrictions regarding NIL rules since October 2019.

Emmert remains optimistic that congress will enact and pass a national law for schools to follow, but it’s unlikely that decision will happen soon.

The NCAA’s Division I council will meet June 22-23. It’s expected the group will consider making a decision on an NIL proposal after delaying its decision in January.