The following provides links to papers and videos from prior Knight Commission meetings where potential changes of NCAA rules regarding the use of student-athletes names, images and likenesses (NIL) were considered. These discussions preceded the passage of California’s SB 206 in September 2019 that will allow student-athletes at California universities to be compensated for the use of their names, images and likenesses starting on January 1, 2023. In October 2019, the NCAA Board of Governors voted unanimously “to permit students participating in athletics the opportunity to benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness” in a manner consistent with the collegiate model. The legislative changes that will enable such an outcome will be developed and considered in 2020.
Below are some highlights of the Knight Commission’s involvement in this issue over the past decade. This information is helpful to understanding the history of this issue, potential new models and potential unintended consequences such new models might create.
- September 16, 2020 (Report): Transforming the NCAA D-I Model: Recommendations for Change
- “National governance should prohibit institutions from paying college athletes for their athletics participation. National governance should continue to allow the provision of scholarships and additional support tethered to education, and it should allow college athletes to earn compensation just like other students from jobs, including operating self-owned businesses, and from arrangements with sources other than their institutions for the uses of their name, image, and likeness (NIL).” (Page 18)
- April 6, 2020 (Letter): Letter to NCAA President Mark Emmert Recommending Guiding Principles for New Rules on the Use of College Athletes’ Name, Image and Likeness
- Jan. 31, 2020 (Panel Discussion, Video): Knight Commission sponsored-panel — The Future of College Sports: Game Plan for College Athletes to Receive Endorsement Pay — at the 13th Annual GEMALaw Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium at Georgetown Law Center
- May 24, 2019 (Panel Discussion, Video): Hot topics impacting NCAA basketball (including NCAA player endorsement restrictions)
- May 10, 2016 (Panel Discussion, Video): Examining NCAA amateurism issues and the continuing debate over the use of college athletes’ names, images and likenesses
- May 2016 (Commissioned Paper): Feldman, G. The NCAA and “Non-Game Related” Student-Athlete Name, Image and Likeness Restrictions
- May 19, 2015 (Press Release): Knight Commission Urges a Student-Centered Approach in College Sports
- April 15, 2015 (Advisory): Knight Commission to Examine the Impact of Changes to College Athlete Image Rights and Other Regulatory Issues
- June 2010 (Report): “Restoring the Balance: Dollars, Values and the Future of College Sports”
- “Prevent use of athletes’ identities to promote commercial entities or products. As amateurs, college athletes cannot benefit financially from the commercial use of their names or images. NCAA rules should not allow commercial sponsors or other third parties to use symbols of the athletes’ identities for financial gain or to promote commercial entities.” (Page 17)
- October 27, 2008 (Press Release): Knight Commission Criticizes Commercialization of College Athletes in Fantasy Sports, New Media
- October 1, 2008 (Press Release): Knight Commission to Meet Oct. 27 to Discuss Publicity Rights, Fantasy Games, and Commercialism
- August 30, 2008 (Op-Ed): LA Times: “Tackling College Football Fantasy Leagues”