NCAA Announces NLI Policy

The NCCA announced in the early evening Wednesday that student-athletes will be able to profit off of their name image and likeness starting tomorrow. However, today’s announcement about name image and likeness is temporary. Consequently, this announcement comes in the final few hours before 11 states enact an NLI law. In the following months, Arizona and Connecticut will allow athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness.

The reaction from the NCCA should have been expected after last week’s 9-0 in the Supreme Court. NCCA President Mark Emmert, in his statement, mentioned how the states starting the NLI tomorrow influenced the decision,

“With the variety of state laws adopted across the country, we will continue to work with Congress to develop a solution that will provide clarity on a national level. The current environment — both legal and legislative — prevents us from providing a more permanent solution and the level of detail student-athletes deserve.”

NCCA President Mark Emmert

A key component of Emmert’s statement is working with Congress on name image and likeness. There is currently a bill in the House of Representatives that would create a national standard for the issue. However, none of the laws have gained momentum yet towards passing either the Senate or the House.

Dr. Sandra J. Jordan the chancellor of University of South Carolina Aiken and Division II talked about the fairness that the new proposed policy allows for,

“It also reinforces key principles of fairness and integrity across the NCAA and maintains rules prohibiting improper recruiting inducements. It’s important any new rules maintain these principles.”

Dr. Sandra J. Jordan the chancellor of University of South Carolina Aiken

Future of the NCCA

However, the name image and likeness announcement does not allow schools to pay student-athletes a salary. But today’s announcement will be a major change to how the NCCA operates.

With the National Letter of Intent being the policy of the land coming into effect in the coming hours. In the coming hours and days, the landscape of college athletics will be forever changed, with student-athletes being able to profit off their name, image, and likeness.