A popular player like Marvin Bagley could have made income off his likeness last yearGETTY IMAGES
Illinois AD Josh Whitman said that there "wasn't a lot of time devoted to the name, image and likeness topic related to endorsements" at the Big Ten's spring meetings, but added it "remains a constant issue," according to Matt Wenzel of MLIVE.com. Whitman said, "I don't know that there are a lot of us who are philosophically opposed to the idea. It's just trying to figure out how to get to a place where we can do it and minimize opportunity for abuse." Michigan men's basketball coach John Beilein added, "It seems like a great idea, but to actually put it into action could be very difficult." Michigan AD Warde Manuel "supports the collegiate model." He believes UM "invests heavily in academic opportunities for its athletes and the university's core principle is producing professionals whose careers are not in sports." However, Manuel is "willing to consider proposals about alternate compensation for athletes" (MLIVE.com, 5/17). North Carolina AD Bubba Cunningham said, "I'm not a fan of the name, image and likeness because I don’t think you can regulate it and I don’t think the market can regulate it because the competitive nature of recruiting." Duke AD Kevin White said, "It’s something that people get excited talking about it. But I think when the rubber hits the road, it’s going to be really, really challenging." But N.C. State AD Debbie Yow said she has "been a proponent" of student athletes making money of the name, image and likeness for "about 15 years." But she added, "The number of athletes that would benefit from it significantly is very small. I think you would start with the revenue sports and those individuals whose names are very well known" (WRALSPORTSFAN.com, 5/16).
GIVE 'EM A CHANCE: In Detroit, Nick Baumgardner wrote continuing to refuse college athletes the "opportunity to earn money off their own name, one of the most valuable things all of us have in our lives, is unethical, ludicrous and beyond explanation." To suggest players "don't have name value is to suggest recruiting websites don't make money." The gaggle of "drooled-upon true freshmen who have come through these programs could have earned money for themselves and their families before ever playing a snap." Baumgardner: "Star players, freshmen players, even some backups have name recognition while they're in school. Some national, some local." It would be "more lucrative for some than others, but a dollar is a dollar and no one should be prohibited from making that dollar" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/17).
