Michelle Steele discusses NCAA athletes making money off name, image and likeness agreements and speaks to Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz about the topic. (1:56).Starting Thursday, every NCAA athlete will be able make money through endorsements and other ventures.Wednesday's decision by the NCAA's board was to suspend its rules that prohibit athletes from selling rights to their names and images. These new rules are a significant shift in the definition of amateurism by the association, which was previously considered antithetical to college sports.Mark Emmert, president of the NCAA, stated that this was a significant day for college athletes because they can now all take advantage name, image and likeness opportunities. We will continue working with Congress to find a solution at a national level, given the diversity of laws that have been adopted in the US. We are unable to provide a permanent solution that provides the detail that student-athletes need in the current legal and legislative environment.After years of debate, the board has taken the decision. Just one day before, laws in over a dozen states will take effect. These laws will make it illegal for schools and universities to follow long-standing NCAA rules, which have up until now prohibited athletes from making any money.The NCAA rules that prohibit schools from paying athletes directly are still in effect. Schools were directed by the board to make sure payments to athletes do not go directly to them for their athletic accomplishments and that they are not used to induce recruits.New rules allow athletes to make money through social media, including signing autographs, teaching lessons or camps, setting up businesses and taking part in advertising campaigns. Agents and other representatives will be allowed to sign endorsement deals for athletes.There will be some restrictions, but they will differ depending on the state laws and policies of individual schools. Some state laws, but not all, prohibit athletes from endorsing alcohol or tobacco products. Athletes are not allowed to use the logos of their schools or any other copyright material in endorsements.Wednesday's rule changes require schools located in states with an NIL law to adhere to state law when deciding what athletes can do. Schools located in states that do not have an active NIL statute were instructed by the NCAA to publish and create their own policies to clarify the grey area and to come up with a plan for resolving any disputes.Over two years, college sports stakeholders attempted to create more specific guidelines to assist schools in navigating the many gray areas and inevitable situations that will occur while trying to navigate new rules that have shaped the unprecedented market created by these changes. Last week's Supreme Court decision on NCAA's business model prompted rulemakers to be less specific and prescriptive than they would prefer.The board of directors stated Wednesday that the rule changes were intended to be temporary in order to ensure all athletes are able to benefit from NIL once state laws go into effect. The board hopes that Congress will create a uniform national law to allow for clearer regulations regarding future NIL deals for college athletes.More than half a dozen bills have been proposed by members of Congress to reform college sports. Others are focused on the establishment of a national standard for NIL agreements. Others want to make significant changes, including giving athletes more medical benefits, better education opportunities, and the right to collectively bargain for the future. In the last month, Washington, D.C. has been stalled by legislative efforts due to disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over the extent of the changes Congress should make to the NCAA.Athletes across the country are getting ready for new opportunities as they prepare for what many in college sports believe will be the most transformative summer since Title IX was passed nearly 50 years ago. Many high-profile athletes will announce new partnerships and deals beginning Thursday morning.
