The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA’s) proposed initiative allowing for schools to directly compensate student-athletes could result in fairer pay but may not be enough to allay legal challenges alleging NCAA rules violate antitrust laws and unfairly limit compensation.
According to Kate Buck, partner in McCarter & English’s sports and entertainment industry team, NCAA President Charlie Baker is trying to “right the ship going forward,” after assuming his position of the NCAA in March. “It could definitely help with the NCAA’s image,” she said. “The NCAA has been slow to react in the past to hearing the concerns of its athletes of its member schools. This is an indication that they are listening and understanding.”