Big East commissioner Val Ackerman had some really interesting things to tell SI.com’s Maggie Gray when asked about the possibility of NCAA athletes being allowed to receive endorsements: that there’s a real possibility that it happens.
“That’s one that’s actually under consideration I believe by the NCAA,” Ackerman said. “It’s actually a time right now where student athlete interests are being closely examined. I don’t have an answer for you on that one today but I will say that and a number of other topics are under review, and I think rightly by the NCAA and it’s very possible that over the course of the next year or two as these these ideas work their way through the legislative system you could see changes.”
Well now.
This is something that proponents of student-athletes rights have been fighting for for a long time, and may have to do with the fact that the association is currently facing a lawsuit brought on by former UCLA star Ed O’Bannon regarding the legality of their ability to restrict the student-athletes from generating revenue via the use of their name and likeness.
Allowing college athletes to sign endorsement deals would be the exact opposite amateurism. And, to be clear, that would be a good thing.
Ackerman is quite clear in saying she “doesn’t have an answer” and that it is all “under review”, so this will be something to monitor moving forward.