The NCAA inches slowly towards paying student-athletes

NCAA press release located here:http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/board-governors-starts-process-enhance-name-image-and-likeness-opportunities

Today was a monumental day for NCAA, student-athletes, and fans of the old EA Sports NCAA Football video game series. While this should be considered a major win for the “pay the players” crowd, this was just a step in the right direction. Social media and various news outlets seem to be treating this as the student-athletes are going to be receiving immediate compensation. In fact, this is not that by any means. (As many know, I am not the biggest fan of the NCAA.)

According to the NCAA’s press release, the vote resulted in “each of the NCAA’s three divisions to immediately consider updates to relevant bylaws and policies for the 21st century”.

The board also decided that the “modernization of bylaws” must occur within a set amount of guidelines established by the organization. Some of these parameters are rules such as: ensuring the rules are transparent and and enforceable, compensation strictly for performance or participation is impermissible, no inducements to select, remain at, or transfer to a specific institution (i.e. transfers and recruitment). In addition, any new rules may be created immediately, but must have been done before January 2021.

So, in the most realistic sense, nothing has really changed. The NCAA is, as they have always been, going to be dragged down this path kicking and screaming. However, the fact they have acknowledged all the outside noise is a good sign. The NCAA was banking off the good press of this news, and it certainly delivered. Knowing the NCAA, they already have a plan in place to deal with this.

How this effects EA Sports?

Now for the part most people are worried about, the NCAA Football series. The general reaction to the news is, obviously, excitement. However, it is best to caution optimism about a quick return for the series. As stated above, the NCAA is (still) not allowing compensation at this time. What this means is that there is still no license for the athletes likeness.

In addition to this, what finally killed the series originally was the loss of school and conference licensing, which would still be an issue. Of course, if compensation happens, the conferences and schools will likely fall back in line. Plus, the game will likely have to be built from the ground up. The last version is extremely old and outdated (I own it). Plus, they would need to implement a playoff system.

Not trying to be the bearer of bad news, but temper expectations. The game looks closer than ever to making its return, but probably not next year. Let’s get some actual compensation for the real players first.

What comes next for the NCAA?

Well, hopefully the NCAA does something with these changes. It is entirely possible they sit on their hands on do nothing, we’ve seen it before. That being said, I think public opinion will force them into doing something. For all the grief they get, the NCAA is smart, they couldn’t go on this long if they weren’t. Like I said, they probably have a plan.

The way this most likely ends would still favor the NCAA. They can rule that student-athletes can profit off name, image, and likeness, but only if everyone on the team earns the same amount. Meaning, while you would get compensation for a video game appearance, jersey sales and the like means nothing. Sure, everyone is angry at first, but then we realize we get our precious video game back, which, to many fans, is all they ever cared about in the first place.

So in the end, we get our video game back, The NCAA gets praise for barely doing anything, and you wonder if anything even changes. Everyone is happy except for the people this is truly about. (Also, the NCAA still thinks the California Bill is unconstitutional, so that should say a lot.)