Questions Surround Whether CBS Fantasy Game Breaks NCAA Rules
Despite the announcement that CBSSports.com will offer a college football fantasy game this year that features actual names and stats, some critics said that such an offering "violates NCAA rules designed to protect college athletes from commercial exploitation," according to Kate Moser of the CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION. Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics Exec Dir Amy Perko: "Based on what I've read about the league itself and what I've seen on the (CBS Sports) Web site, I think it's clear that the CBS program is in violation of (the NCAA's) amateurism rules." NCAA bylaws "prohibit companies from trading on the likeness or image of specific athletes." Moser notes the NCAA "has not tried to stop CBS from creating the league," though it sent the net, a corporate partner, a "letter saying that the new league could jeopardize athletes' eligibility." The game will "not charge entry fees or offer prize money" (CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, 7/31). Perko added, "The NCAA has an obligation to ask its partner to cease and desist so its rules are not violated. At this point, what's unsettling is that they wouldn't clearly and actually say that it needs to be stopped, and you hope it's not a different stance because their partner has unveiled this as opposed to someone else." NCAA Managing Dir of PR & Media Relations Bob Williams said that the "issue would be addressed next week by the NCAA Division I [BOD], in terms of whether the bylaws need to be examined." USA TODAY's Jack Carey notes "other news media are already looking at the issue." Sporting News VP & GM for Online Jeffrey Gerttula: "The concern has always been that the NCAA would do something (in terms of legal action), but I think this is interesting." Gerttula said that Sporting News "cannot get a fantasy league up and running for this season because of logistics," but he "thinks more sites will inevitably jump on board because players' names can be used" (USA TODAY, 7/31).
NO SIMILAR GAMES PLANNED: Citizen Sports CEO Mike Kerns, who also develops games for SI Digital, said this morning as of now, the company only has a social pick ‘em-style college game on Facebook with just teams. But in light of the news, they may develop another college game with players. ESPN.com also has a pick ‘em, team-based game, but they have no plans to have any sort of commissioner-style college game. The Web site's energies currently are focused on NHL and NBA fantasy games to add to their existing MLB and NFL games (THE DAILY).
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