NCAA to allow endorsements
photo by annie klusendorf from michigan daily
For many years, the debate about college athletes receiving pay has sparked many discussions and controversies in the NCAA. Despite previous scandals involving monetary gain to student-athletes, taking effect in 2023, collegiate athletes will be able to receive endorsements.
In the state of California, Gov. Gavin Newsom was the first to sign this new bill, approving the endorsements. Afterward, many states including Florida, New York, and New Jersey signed the bill as well. According to the NCAA, student-athletes are now able to earn money based on their “name, image, and likeness.” Which, all in all, means an athlete can use their image for marketing purposes, or their skill to teach paid lessons.
With the transition into the “Fair Pay to Play Act,” future college athletes will be encouraged to obtain agents to help guide the athletes through signed endorsement deals. With that, the way future collegiate athletes will be recruited will be altered as well.
“It’s a full time job to be a Division 1 and Division 2 athlete in college. Some of them receive scholarships and some of them don’t, so to be able to make a little money off of it... I’m not against it,” Mr. Kevin Guzzo, SJHS Athletic Director, said.
“It’s a full time job to be a Division 1 and Division 2 athlete in college. Some of them receive scholarships and some of them don’t, so to be able to make a little money off of it.”
In most BIG 10 schools, the new rule won’t alter their recruiting style as dramatically due to their ‘big’ name in sports, but in local or smaller colleges the monetary potential will be a considerable aspect in the eyes of the prospect, especially in hometown marketing.
But what does all of this mean for SJHS student-athletes?
Since the Fair Pay to Play Act won’t be effective for at least 3 more years, no one currently attending SJHS will be directly influenced. Some seniors this year who plan on becoming college student-athletes will not be affected either. As a result of the bill, if the committed athletes from SJHS build their names through their college sport, then earnings may come at a later time.