NAIA votes to compensate student-athletes for use of name, image, likeness
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics will now allow student-athletes to make money using their name, image, or likeness.
Madison Lantz, who plays golf at William Penn University in Iowa, is one of 77,000 students at 250 schools who will benefit from the decision, announced by the NAIA on Tuesday.
“This opens the door for student-athletes,” she said.
The legislation allows a student-athlete to receive compensation for promoting any commercial product, enterprise or for any public or media appearance.
“It sends a signal that we support them, and we want to treat them just like all other students,” said Jim Carr, president of the NAIA.
It could lift a huge burden off some athletes struggling financially; not all students at NAIA schools receive full scholarships.
“I think this is going to be huge by helping them get those endorsements and payments that could possibly help them be in less debt or get through college and still play the sport they love,” Lantz said.
Carr said lifting the monetary restrictions on athletes not only helps student athletes supplement their education, it also puts the NAIA out ahead of future state legislation mandating athletes be compensated for their talents.
“With those restrictions removed, state laws that are being passed shouldn’t impact NAIA student athletes,” he added.
Lantz described it as being “ahead of the curb.” The college senior said she appreciates that thousands of student-athletes' voices were heard.
“It’s super exciting,” she said.
The change is effective immediately. However, schools can still place restrictions at the campus level, as they would with the entire student body.
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