The NCAA Board of Governors has announced that it is in support for rule changes to allow student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness. The recommended rule changes will need to be approved by the association’s full membership.

A vote on the potential rule changes is expected for January 2021, which would allow the new policies to go into effect for the 2021-22 season. It would change the amateurism model the NCAA has followed for decades.

Per the NCAA, “student-athletes would be permitted to identify themselves by sport and school, the use of conference and school logos, trademarks or other involvement would not be allowed.”

The NCAA has already released some guidelines for student-athlete compensation, which include:

  • Ensuring student-athletes are treated similarly to nonathlete students unless a compelling reason exists to differentiate.
  • Maintaining the priorities of education and the collegiate experience to provide opportunities for student-athlete success.
  • Ensuring rules are transparent, focused and enforceable, and facilitating fair and balanced competition.
  • Making clear the distinction between collegiate and professional opportunities.
  • Making clear that compensation for athletics performance or participation is impermissible.
  • Reaffirming that student-athletes are students first and not employees of the university.
  • Enhancing principles of diversity, inclusion and gender equity.
  • Protecting the recruiting environment and prohibiting inducements to select, remain at or transfer to a specific institution.

Ohio State University Athletic Director Gene Smith released a statement following the news.

“The NCAA’s work to modernize name, image and likeness continues, and we plan to make these important changes on the original timeline, no later than January 2021,” Smith said in a release. “The board’s decision today provides further guidance to each division as they create and adopt appropriate rules changes.”

Recommendations from the board were scheduled to be discussed with NCAA President Mark Emmert on Wednesday morning.