National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes can make money off merely their name, image and likeness (NIL) after a recent Supreme Court case. Strict NCAA rules used to prohibit college athletes from making money off anything. During his season in 2000, the University of Nebraska starting quarterback Eric Crouch illegally accepted gifts that totaled $22.77. This twentysome-dollar expense led to his suspension from the team until he paid a fee totaling the amount he had gained.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that colleges cannot prohibit their student-athletes from accepting certain benefits. This case, NCAA v. Alston, led to the revocation of the standing rule against college athletes profiting off their athletic position. On July 30, 2021, the Division I Board of Directors approved the policy that allows NCAA Division I, II and III athletes to be financially compensated for their NIL.
Louisiana State University (LSU) gymnast Olivia Dunne encountered money and fame on TikTok. With 3.9 million TikTok followers, she is one of the many athletes that could benefit from the recent NIL rule change.
Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller signed with Raising Cane’s chicken, a prominent fast-food chain in the South. Compensation for his NIL leaves Spiller financially capable to give his entire attention to Aggie football.
John Brown University does not fall within the constraints of the Division I Board of Director’s policy. The NIL compensation exists exclusively for Division I, II and III. JBU athletics are a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) divisions. Athletes within NAIA cannot receive full athletic scholarships or money because of their NIL.
Sophomore JBU volleyball player Micah Fouts had not heard of the recent decision concerning NIL. However, after learning about its approval, Fouts said, “I think this is a step forward for NCAA athletes. They give so much of their time to their sport. They should be paid for it.”
NCAA athletes give so much time to their respective sport that, combined with academic workloads, they don’t have ample time to hold a consistent job. But now, their NIL can become that consistent income.
“I also think that NIL might change how athletes are recruited and how they choose their school. Bigger name schools that offer less of an athletic scholarship might be a better option financially,” Fouts added.
As an NAIA athlete, Fouts is one of thousands that will not benefit from their NIL. She says, “I think NIL will eventually apply to NAIA athletes. Division III players that aren’t given any athletic scholarships benefit from NIL so I think we will too.”
As competition and popularity continue to rise within NAIA athletics, Fouts believes that “there will be more demand to benefit off of who we are.” The NIL advancement is a step forward in NCAA athletics that may someday spill into the NAIA.