Photo Credit: unafraidshow.com On December 16, 2020, the Supreme Court announced that it will hear an appeal from the NCAA and eleven of its top-level conferences in a case that challenges the Association's restriction on student-athlete compensation. In 2021, the high court will decide whether the NCAA's rules which limit athlete compensation to scholarships is... Continue Reading →
College football is not separate from other NCAA sports.
Stanford women's soccer celebrates its 2019 national championship. Source: John Todd / ISI Photos. There is a way to have college football this season. Every conference could have a bubble, and teams would play Thursday through Saturday. Academics would not be an issue, as multiple colleges have opted to the virtual education route anyways. But,... Continue Reading →
NIL Following COVID-19
A few months ago, state legislatures were hacking away at the foundations of NCAA “amateurism” by passing laws to allow students athletes to receive compensation for use of their name, image, and likeness. Celebrity athletes such as LeBron James, Draymond Green, and Richard Sherman praise the fall of the NCAA “amateurism” model and look forward... Continue Reading →
Just Do It: Michael Avenatti Guilty of Extorting Nike
It is unlikely anyone reading this does not know about Nike: a company that ranks among the top of the list of Fortune 500 companies that are the largest United States corporations by total revenue, Nike permeates every facet of athletics - from sportswear to advertising to equipment. In 2014, Nike was valued at $19... Continue Reading →
Hey, MSU (and NCAA): Let’s Talk Concussion Protocol
Surely you have not forgotten University of Tennessee Quarterback Brian Maurer’s month of head injuries (if you need a refresher, you can catch up here) throughout consecutive games in October. Well, another university has decided to ignore a solid hit to the head after Michigan State Quarterback Lewerke remained in the game this past Saturday.... Continue Reading →
Will the NCAA Really Allow Student Athletes to Receive Compensation for NIL? What Will These New Rules Look Like?
In its vague statement, the NCAA declared it would “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.” You may wonder what these ground breaking new NIL rules (to be effective in about one year!) will look like.... Continue Reading →
Hey, Tennessee (and NCAA): Let’s Talk Concussion Protocol
Photo credit: APNews Brian Maurer is a freshman at the University of Tennessee. At 19 years old, Maurer has been the University’s starting quarterback since early October. In his first start on October 5, Maurer left the game during the second half after he took a substantial hit from a Georgia defender, resulting in a... Continue Reading →
Putting its Best Foot Forward: Under Armour Publicly Supports Student Athlete Pay for NIL
Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank supported student athlete pay when he publicly stated college athletes deserve to be paid for the use of their names, images, and likenesses. This may be the first of many moves from the footwear (and athletic-wear) industry to get in the game – and market share – when it comes... Continue Reading →
States Leading the Charge: A Map of the States Proposing Pay to Play Legislation
This map is updated continuously to reflect every state introducing pay for play legislation. California: PASSED Fair Pay to Play Act. Colleges in California cannot punish their student athletes for collecting endorsement money – focused on name, image, and likeness. Washington: INTRODUCED HB 1084. Student athletes in Washington would be able to collect pay for... Continue Reading →
NCAA v. California? There is Some Precedent
Photo: Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports So, for over twenty years now I have been teaching sports law, and THE case in Sports Law I has been NCAA v. Tarkanian, 488 U.S. 179 (1988). Generations of law students have been required to memorize the holding (the NCAA is NOT a state actor, and therefore not... Continue Reading →