Baker Op-Ed, International NIL Bill, USC Files to Dismiss, + ICYMI & More | NIL Newsletter #193
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Major News
NCAA President Charlie Baker Pens Op-Ed on Change
This week, Baker released an opinion titled “College sports are overdue for change” through The Athletic.
“But for too long, rules meant to govern and protect one generation of student-athletes have been broadly applied to a generation whose needs and priorities have shifted dramatically.”
Baker talked at length about NIL, referencing the new proposals introduced by the Division I Council, while also once again advocating for congressional involvement to “curtail inducements” and “prevent […] tampering.”
Baker’s decision to once again call upon Congress seems driven by his realization that “we [the NCAA] can’t expand our own legal authority.”
International Collegiate Athletes Act Introduced
This week, Senators Pete Ricketts and Richard Blumenthal introduced the “Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) for International Collegiate Athletes Act.”
This Act aims to allow international student-athletes to take part in NIL activities, which are currently unavailable under the F-1 visa that student-athletes utilize.
Oscar Tshiebwe (above) famously used a team trip to the Bahamas to make approximately $500,000 during his time with Kentucky.
The bill is supported by Athletic Directors at Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska Omaha, and Creighton.
“Part-time jobs are staples of the collegiate experience,” said Senator Ricketts. “The student visa needs to be updated to reflect the new NIL rules in collegiate athletics. International student athletes should be able to pursue the same opportunities as their fellow athletes from hosting summer camps for kids to appearing at events.”
USC Files Motion to Dismiss in NLRB Case
Last year, the National College Players Association filed an initial joint complaint with the NLRB against USC, the Pac-12, and the NCAA.
The complaint alleged that all three defendants maintained unlawful handbook rules and misclassified student-athletes. A hearing is scheduled for November 7th in Los Angeles.
This week, USC filed a motion to dismiss the NCPA’s complaint, presumably to avoid a hearing altogether.
“Importantly, USC did not originate the phrase ‘student-athlete,'” USC’s lawyers write in the motion to dismiss. “The phrase provides an accurate description for the students who participate in athletic programs, has been widely used for decades […]”
For Athletes
Deal of the Week
The Oklahoma-focused Crimson & Cream collective partnered with Student-Athlete NIL and Ascend to create a first-of-its-kind roundup program.
Members of the collective will be able to roundup all purchases on their credit card, with the proceeds benefiting the Crimson & Cream collective.
ICYMI
The Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill to allow high schoolers to participate in NIL activities. LINK
The NCAA published legislative proposals to be voted on at the 2024 NCAA convention. LINK
The Seton Hall-focused Onward Setonia collective is finding new benefits for donors (i.e. dinners with Coach Shaheen Holloway). LINK
The UCLA Athletics Department announced the “Fours Up” strategic plan as part of their future move to the Big Ten. LINK
Have you checked out OSC’s website?
Head to www.OptimumSportsConsulting.com to find important resources and features relating to all things NIL. These resources include State by State Resources for Admins, Agents and Athletes, including our initial “OSC Summaries” for over a dozen states coming soon.
More to come too, including links to helpful state information- agency laws and information about school policies, as well as seminar/congressional notes, worksheets, and much more!