Author: Attorney John C. Mitby
Phone: 608-310-5556 or 608-575-4077
Email: jmitby@hurleyburish.com

As of July 1, 2021, the NCAA  suspended its rules prohibiting athletes from selling the rights to their names, images, and likenesses. Players will be able to monetize their social media accounts, sign autographs, teach camps, start their own businesses, create intellectual property, and participate in advertising campaigns.

One thing the NCAA is not allowing (nor did the Supreme Court address) is granting schools the ability to pay athletes salaries for their athletic performance or use payments for recruiting purposes. The question unanswered is if a star athlete goes to a highly visible school with in place marketing, why would he or she not consider that school over a school with less visibility? How will that issue play out? Money will win the prize athlete. However, individual schools will be able to create their own guidelines and rules for their individual athletes. Athletes are also now allowed to sign with agents to negotiate and sign endorsement deals without risking their college eligibility.