Senators Chide NCAA for Not Solving Athlete-pay Issue as Fast Federal Help Looks Unlikely
Warning of a looming threat to amateur sports, college athletics leaders urged Congress
on Wednesday to take bipartisan action as states prepare to allow athletes to earn money from their names and personal brands. But with only weeks before some state laws take effect, senators appeared deeply divided over how quickly to act and what federal legislation should look like—leaving the NCAA potentially on its own as athletes, schools and conferences try to navigate a shifting landscape. Amid mounting public and political pressure to grant college athletes more rights, the NCAA has struggled for years to grant “name, image and likeness” rights to athletes, allowing them to make money from autographs, sponsorships, licensing and other deals that leverage their popularity. In the meantime, more than 20 states have passed laws of their own. In five states, those laws will go into effect July 1, potentially creating chaos for NCAA oversight and college athletic departments. (
The Washington Post - June 9, 2021)