Outgoing B1G commissioner Jim Delany not in favor of 'pay for play'

As outgoing commissioner, Jim Delany isn’t going to have to deal much with the new California law that allows college student-athletes to profit off of their name, image and likeness. But he did have some thoughts on the matter during B1G basketball media day on Wednesday.

This may come as a shocker (not really), but Delany isn’t in favor of the new bill. In his eyes, even the proposal of the name, image and likeness bill is getting a little too close to “pay for play.”

“To me, the outer limit is the cost of college,” Delany said during his remarks at Big Ten media day. “Once we’re beyond the cost of college, we’re in pay for play and it’s a totally different game.

“The student who plays athletics in the Big Ten is in school to receive an education first,” Delany said. “There’s an amazing opportunity to get a world class education here and it’s an amazing opportunity to compete in a great conference with great recognition.”

Coaches, administrators and legislators have had mixed feelings on the matter. The biggest concern seems to be how to properly regulate the name, image and likeness laws that would create and equal playing field for all NCAA institutions and student-athletes.

There’s obviously some concerns, but it looks like we’re moving closer to seeing athletes being able to profit off their likeness.