Blumenthal, Moran Joint Statement on NCAA’s NIL Decision

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) – Ranking Member and Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection, with jurisdiction over the NCAA and amateur athletes – released the following statement after the NCAA announced that its Board of Governors is moving toward allowing student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) starting in the 2020-21 school year:

“The NCAA’s rules around NIL have not kept pace with an evolving world, and the Board of Governors’ support for these recommendations shows the NCAA is taking steps to bring their rules in line with the modern student-athlete experience. While the NCAA is making progress, there is more work to be done. We look forward to hearing more specific suggestions from the NCAA’s deliberative process, and we will continue working with the NCAA, student-athletes, advocates and our colleagues in the Senate to ensure student-athletes are treated fairly.”

In February, Sen. Moran and Sen. Blumenthal held a hearing titled, “Name, Image, and Likeness: The State of Intercollegiate Athlete Compensation.” The hearing examined how student-athletes are currently restricted from profiting from their NIL to supplement current scholarships and benefits they receive.

Witnesses at the hearing included NCAA President Mark Emmert, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby, KU Chancellor Doug Girod, Executive Director of the National College Players Association Ramogi Huma and former chair of the NCAA’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Kendall Spencer.