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Congressman to introduce bill to require NCAA to allow student-athletes to profit from likeness
By Andrew Olson
Published:
New federal legislation could be bringing a major change to college sports.
Mark Walker of North Carolina, a member of the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives, plans to introduce the Student-Athlete Equity Act this month, a bill that would allow student-athletes to legally seek compensation for their likeness, according to Brian Murphy of The News & Observer.
“Signing on with a university, if you’re a student-athlete, should not be (a) moratorium on your rights as an individual. This is the time and the moment to be able to push back and defend the rights of these young adults,” Walker said about the act.
The NCAA has, of course, prevented student-athletes from monetizing their likeness such as the EA Sports video game, jersey sales and YouTube videos. Walker emphasized that he’s simply working for current restrictions to be lifted and is not asking the NCAA or the schools to pay players any money. He echoes an argument frequently made by those against paying players – the school has provided enough in the form of a scholarship.
“They’ve had time to have their meetings,” Walker said. “Here’s the thing: We’re not asking the university, we’re not asking the NCAA to pay a single dollar into this. You’ve done your part offering a full scholarship. Just don’t restrict the rest of it.”
If the act passes, college sports won’t be the same.
A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.