NCAA explores compensation for names, likeness

The NCAA is forming a task force to look at ways to change its rules to allow college athletes to be compensated for their names, images and similarities. However, the NCAA said the group would not consider anything that could be interpreted as athlete compensation.

NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors announced Tuesday that Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman will lead the new working group on federal and state legislation.

In most cases, NCAA rules prohibit athletes from receiving benefits or compensation from a school or an outside source for their names, pictures and similarities. For example, college athletes can not participate in commercial advertising or sign autographs for money.

Todd Gurley is among several notable athletes suspended by the NCAA for receiving money for autographs. In 2014, Gurley, who was then working at the University of Georgia, was suspended for four games after an investigation determined that he had received $ 3,000 over two years for autographs and awards. signed memories.

NCAA rules have been challenged in federal antitrust lawsuits. A bill recently introduced at Congress aims to lift restrictions that prevent athletes from enjoying their fame during their studies.

Congressman Mark Walker of North Carolina is working to bring such a bill to the House Ways and Means Committee.

"I am grateful to the NCAA for creating a task force to review my law on equity between students and athletes and determine how it will give university athletes opportunities." free market, "Walker said in response to the NCAA announcement. "While this is encouraging, the NCAA has claimed to study this problem for years and now they must act to repair the injustices of their model, protect the athletes and save the university sports we love."

"The NCAA is taking advantage of the unpaid work, and I thought maybe it was time for us to come to a place to correct this mistake.

"The student-athletes are the only ones on a university campus who have to surrender their rights to their image, and 99% of these student-athletes will never receive any sort of compensation from a professional sports organization. growth and networking, that makes no sense. "

The task force includes members from all three divisions of the NCAA.

"This group will bring together the diverse views of members – Presidents and Student Athlete Commissioners – who will review the NCAA's position on the benefits of name, image and likeness and possibly propose changes to the rules related to to education, "said commissioner Ackerman Big East and co-chair of the task force, said in the statement. "We believe this is a good time for these discussions and look forward to an in-depth assessment of the many complexities involved in this area."

Gene Smith, The Senior Vice President, Sports Director and Co-Chair of the Ohio State Task Force reiterated that paid players were not being studied.

"While the formation of this group is an important step to confirm what we believe as an association, the group's work will not lead to paying students as employees," Smith said in a statement. the NAA press release. "This structure is contrary to the educational mission of the NCAA and will not be part of this discussion."

David Hale of ESPN and the Associated Press contributed to this report.