INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA has approved interim policies allowing student-athletes to be able to profit off of their name, image, or likeness.
The NCAA Board of Directors approved the policy changes on Wednesday in a meeting at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis. The changes were recommended by the NCAA Division 1 Council on Monday.
“This is an important day for college athletes since they all are now able to take advantage of name, image and likeness opportunities,” NCAA president Mark Emmert said in a statement. “With the variety of state laws adopted across the country, we will continue to work with Congress to develop a solution that will provide clarity on a national level.”
It’s only an initial step, according to Emmertt, as he said a more “permanent solution” will be needed as the national environment shifts and changes on the discussion of NIL, especially when it comes to legislation passed on the matter in each state.
Not long after the NCAA approved the NIL changes, Indiana University announced its own NIL policy changes that are in line with the decision from the NCAA.
“Dating back to the creation of the IU Athletics NIL Task Force last August, our department has been laser-focused on being at the forefront when it comes to preparing for and supporting our students’ NIL opportunities when this day arrived,” said IU athletic director Scott Dolson.
Dolson said IU athletes may now be contacted directly about endorsement deals.
The announcement by the NCAA on Wednesday is being regarded as the most transformative policy change from the NCAA since Title XI was enacted almost 50 years ago.
