NCAA Evaluates Proposal for Paying Athletes

NCAA President Charlie Baker's proposal for a new Division I subdivision where athletes could be paid is under review, with Congressional support sought for implementation.

• NCAA President Charlie Baker has proposed a new subdivision of Division I sports where highly resourced schools would be required to offer at least half of their athletes a payment of at least $30,000 per year through a trust fund.
• Baker's proposal also includes allowing all Division I schools to offer unlimited educational benefits to athletes and to enter into name, image and likeness licensing deals with athletes.
• The proposal has been sent to the Division I Council for evaluation and feedback, with updates expected at the NCAA's April meeting.
• Baker and other college sports leaders are seeking help from Congress to enact these changes, hoping for a federal law that would prevent athletes from being considered employees if schools paid for their NIL rights.
• Despite the proposal, a new bill has been drafted by Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Debbie Dingell, along with Senator Ben Ray Lujan, that would make it illegal for schools to participate in NIL deals.

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