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Kerr: NCAA needs to allow athletes to make money off their likeness

Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

In the midst of the NCAA's latest scandal involving a number of high-profile college basketball players - both past and present - receiving cash advances, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr feels it's time for athletes to be allowed to make money off their likeness away from the game - just not from the NCAA itself, though.

"I think the NCAA needs reform, for sure, and it's not just my reaction based on the news from yesterday. It's needed reform for many years," Kerr said prior to Golden State's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. "I don't think the NCAA needs to pay the athletes. What I think the NCAA needs to do is allow the athletes to make some money if they're able to do so off the floor.

" ... College sports have become a billion-dollar industry, and you do have some key figures driving the economics. If there's a guy who happens to be a dominant player, and Nike wants to pay him or Adidas wants to pay him ... the school isn't paying him."

Related - NCAA on allegations: 'If true, point to systematic failures that must be fixed'

Kerr spent four years at the University of Arizona, which is currently in hot water after Wildcats head coach Sean Miller was heard on an FBI wiretap discussing a $100,000 payment to help land freshman standout Deandre Ayton, who now leads the Pac-12 in scoring with 19.6 points per game. Kerr added that he was "disappointed" by what's taken place with his alma mater, but wouldn't elaborate further.

A recent report from Yahoo Sports uncovered hundreds of pages of documents and bank statements from ASM Sports and decertified agent Andy Miller during a year-long probe. Over 25 players, including Dennis Smith Jr. and Markelle Fultz, were listed as having received payments and loans, which would be in violation of NCAA rules.

Related - Lonzo: 'Everybody knows' college players get paid, 'might as well make it legal'

Andy Miller's associate, Christian Dawkins, engaged in conversations with Sean Miller, with over 3,000 hours of their conversations being intercepted by the FBI.

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