Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
The NCAA's Board of Governors announced Wednesday that it supports rule changes that would allow student-athletes to receive compensation for their names, images and likenesses.
Yes, but: Don't expect a free market for student-athletes just yet. While the NCAA cleared the way to support third-party endorsements and other money-making opportunities, like social-media influencing and personal appearances, its announcement still leaves a number of questions moving forward.
- The NCAA wants to ask Congress to back a federal law that would preempt piecemeal action by states on the issue — and codify that student-athletes aren't university employees.
- It said that it does not want student-athletes' name, image or likeness to be used to support schools' recruiting or their boosters, which is a provision that could ultimately be impossible to enforce.
- It also believes there are "legal hurdles" that would prevent student-athletes from making money on licensing for "group products" like video games.
The big picture: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law last September that allowed the state's college athletes to accept endorsement deals by 2023, upending the decades-long precedent set by the NCAA.
- The California law touched off a wave of similar pushes around the country — with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis supporting similar legislation.
- The NCAA ultimately relented in October, taking its first vote to move toward student-athlete compensation.
What's next: The Board of Governors' recommendations will be submitted to the NCAA's three divisions, which will likely adopt the suggested changes moving into the 2021-2022 academic year.