The NCAA voted unanimously last week  to modify its rules so that athletes can profit from their name and likeness by 2021. This means that college athletes will have the opportunity to be paid starting in 2021. The NCAA will not be paying the athletes directly, but they will allow them to sign endorsements and make money in other areas. The NCAA is now trying to figure out how to modify its rules while keeping a distinction between professional and college sports. The NCAA wants its athletes to have the same opportunities to make money as other students, while keeping a competitive balance.

The NCAA felt pressure to make this change after California passed the Fair Pay to Play Act in September which allowed athletes at California colleges to profit off of their name and likeness starting in 2023. Many states followed suit forming their own bills that allow student athletes to make money off of their name. Even U.S. Congressman Mark Walker from North Carolina proposed a bill that would allow all athletes to profit off of their name. Walker said that he will continue forward with the bill to keep the pressure on the NCAA. “We clearly have the NCAA’s attention. Now we need their action,” said Walker. There is speculation that the NCAA is bluffing, and they are not going to change their rules, but only time will tell.

This announcement has left people with more questions than answers concerning who will be allowed to pay them, or how it will be regulated. As of right now there is no players union like in professional sports  to represent the players as a whole which is a concern. Also, there is a concern that  players will be more likely to go to bigger schools like Clemson and Alabama for football  even more, so that they might get more opportunities with endorsements. But the NCAA has given their three divisions until the beginning of 2021 to address these concerns, so that there is no unfair advantage. Fans are divided on whether these changes are good for the game or not, but this decision will change college sports as we know it.