News Information and Media Site: Sports: Cash for College Athletes?

April 30, 2020

N.C.A.A. Outlines Plan to Let Athletes Make Endorsement Deals

The N.C.A.A. outlined new rules by which athletes could be paid for endorsements, social media deals and other uses of their fame. The rules would take effect at the start of the 2021-22 academic year.David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Collegiate athletes have long cultivated fame without being able to cash in on it.

That may soon change.

The N.C.A.A. has been under increasing pressure to lessen restrictions on athletes getting financial compensation by allowing them to earn money from the use of their name, image and likeness.

On Wednesday, the N.C.A.A. Board of Governors outlined a plan that would let athletes earn money through third parties. That could mean appearances in television commercials, signed autograph sessions or partnership deals forged through social media. One big restriction would remain: student-athletes would not be permitted to be paid directly by universities, Billy Witz writes.

“The devil will be in the details,” said Nancy Skinner, a California state senator and an author of a bill loosening restrictions there much further than the N.C.A.A.’s proposal. “Yet, no matter how you cut it, this represents a landmark change.”

Read the full article here.

ON THE (EVENTUAL) RETURN OF SPORTS

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the leading U.S. infectious disease expert, said widespread testing with speedy results would be needed if sports leagues are to safely restart their seasons.

Doug Mills/The New York Times

Some Sports May Have to Skip This Year, Fauci Says

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the leading U.S. infectious disease expert, said widespread testing with speedy results would be needed if sports leagues are to safely restart their seasons.

By James Wagner and Ken Belson

Issei Kato/Reuters

Summer Olympics in 2021? ‘Exceedingly Difficult’ Without a Coronavirus Vaccine

A Japanese medical authority has raised doubt about staging the Games, even a year later than originally planned, unless an effective vaccine has been developed.

By Motoko Rich and Andrew Keh

Continue reading the main story

ON FOOTBALL

Displaced by one great quarterback, Winston will now back up another with the Saints. How he reinvents himself there depends entirely on him.

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

On Pro Football

Jameis Winston’s Next Act: Where Else but New Orleans?

Displaced by one great quarterback, Winston will now back up another with the Saints. How he reinvents himself there depends entirely on him.

By Ben Shpigel

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Mekhi Becton, the Jets’ Top Draft Pick, ‘Moves People Like Furniture’

Becton is 6-foot-7 and weighs 364 pounds, but his array of skills tipped the scales for the Jets.

By Danielle Allentuck

ON SOCCER

The Premier League wrote a letter to a U.S. trade body, urging it to keep Saudi Arabia on a list of nations that breach intellectual property rules.

Lindsey Parnaby/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

As Premier League Weighs Saudi Bid for Newcastle, It Criticized Kingdom

The Premier League wrote a letter to a U.S. trade body, urging it to keep Saudi Arabia on a list of nations that breach intellectual property rules.

By Tariq Panja

Francois Walschaerts/Reuters

France’s Prime Minister Shut Down Soccer. That Surprised Teams Restarting.

France is the first of Europe’s big five soccer leagues to declare the season over. Now, its clubs are facing the financial consequences.

By Tariq Panja

THE DAY IN (NO) SPORTS

Another update on the L.P.G.A. schedule, the future of the spitball in cricket and a backyard pole vault runway and pit that meets competition standards.