The NCAA Board of Governors has unanimously approved a policy which will “permit students participating in athletics the opportunity to benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness in a manner consistent with the collegiate model.”

The policy calls for “flexibility” in order “to provide the best possible experience for college athletes.” It was adopted following “comprehensive recommendations” from the NCAA’s internal working group on name, image, and likeness issues headed by Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman and senior college administrator Gene Smith. According to the statement released by the NCAA, the working group’s recommendations were based on several months of gathering feedback from stakeholders, including current and former student-athletes, coaches, presidents, faculty and commissioners across all three NCAA divisions.

It is interesting to note the NCAA announcement did not refer to the ability of student-athletes to “profit” from these policy changes, but rather for student-athletes to “benefit” from the use of their name, image and likeness.

The statement also indicates that the internal working group will continue to gather feedback and refine its recommendations through April of 2020. Each NCAA division is asked to

“create any new rules beginning immediately, but no later than January 2021.”

The statement does not provide specific details regarding the policy; however, it indicates that changes to NCAA rules could occur “immediately.” Of significant note is that the policy directs each of the NCAA’s three divisions to consider these proposed bylaw and policy changes “for the 21^st century.”

In effect, the NCAA is attempting to eliminate the state-by-state legislative issue regarding name, image and likeness rights by requiring each NCAA division to prepare these bylaw updates on a nationwide basis, that would apply equally to all schools in each division, regardless of the school’s specific state location.

To that end, the NCAA issued the following guidelines for modernizing name, image, and likeness rules:

• Assure student-athletes are treated similarly to non-athlete students unless a compelling reason exists to differentiate.

• Maintain the priorities of education and the collegiate experience to provide opportunities for student-athlete success.

• Ensure rules are transparent, focused and enforceable and facilitate fair and balanced competition.

• Make clear the distinction between collegiate and professional opportunities.

• Make clear that compensation for athletics performance or participation is impermissible.

• Reaffirm that student-athletes are students first and not employees of the university.

• Enhance principles of diversity, inclusion and gender equity.

• Protect the recruiting environment and prohibit inducements to select, remain at, or transfer to a specific institution.

In reaction of the NCAA’s new policy, NCAA President Mark Emmert commented, “The NCAA is uniquely positioned to modify its rules to ensure fairness and a level playing field for student-athletes. The board’s action creates a path to enhance opportunities for student-athletes while ensuring they compete against students and not professionals.”