Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe NCAA's Division I Board of Directors approved Wednesday an interim policy that will allow athletes to make money from their names, images and likeness.The news was first reported by Nicole Auerbach, The Athletic.Auerbach described Thursday's policy as a "stopgap" measure until federal legislators craft NIL-related legislation.This step comes just one day before states allow college athletes to be compensated for their image, name and likeness.This was the culmination of a long period of momentum, particularly after states began to create their own legislation. California Governor. The floodgates opened when Gavin Newsom signed late 2019's first NIL bill.When the nine justices in the United States Supreme Court voted unanimously against NCAA v. Alston on Monday, the doubt was effectively wiped out. Schools were allowed to offer unlimited compensation for education to athletes by the ruling.The NCAA needed to quickly create guidelines nationwide as Thursday's deadline was rapidly approaching. Otherwise, it could have found itself in a position where some schools could be at advantage since their athletes could be paid for name, image, and likeness, while still being eligible.Ohio Governor. After NIL legislation was introduced in May, Mike DeWine has just signed an executive directive."Surely, the fact that states like Alabama, Georgia, and Floridahome to some Ohio State football's chief recruit rivals and an area OSU recruits heavilyhave NIL law set to go into force on July 1, created a sense of urgency," Bill Landis of The Athletic wrote at the time.A few athletes like the Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz or the Iowa guard Jordan Bohannon gave a glimpse of what's ahead:Auberback stated that athletes cannot accept payment for their services. ... School X cannot offer them $20,000 if the athlete signs with it. All deals must be tied to NIL."It's difficult to predict what college sports will look like after such a major shift.For those who have advocated for college athletes to receive additional compensation beyond a college education, Thursday is the right moment.
