Report: NCAA group to suggest athletes be allowed to profit from endorsements

A study group working on the future of the NCAA's brand plans to suggest that collegiate athletes be allowed to make money from endorsements and apparel contracts, a source told ESPN's Dan Murphy.

The group reportedly intends to recommend allowing student-athletes to make money by "modeling apparel as long as that apparel doesn't include school logos or other 'school marks'." Athletes would also be able to hire an agent to help with pursuing marketing opportunities.

However, they would be prohibited from advertising products that conflict with NCAA legislation, such as gambling or banned substances.

The NCAA has kept in place strict rules against endorsements for several decades, and violations can lead to a loss of eligibility.

The news comes on the same day of reports that Jalen Green - once the top college basketball prospect in the class of 2020 - will sign a memorabilia contract with Upper Deck after forgoing college to join the G League's new professional pathway program.

LeBron James signed a similar deal in 2002, and it would have led to forfeiting his NCAA eligibility. But James then jumped straight from high school to the NBA, which was permitted at the time.

The NCAA pulls in approximately $1 billion per year from collegiate sports, but it doesn't pay athletes outside of what their athletic scholarships provide.