The NCAA is facing a fresh legal battle as the attorneys general from Tennessee and Virginia filed a lawsuit challenging the organization’s NIL rules. And in a statement released shortly after the legal challenge was announced, the NCAA offered its reaction.
In a statement, the NCAA argued that the lawsuit from the two states would make it more difficult for the NCAA to enforce its rules as schools and conferences have continually called for greater enforcement.
“While the NCAA generally does not comment on specific infractions cases, it is important to remember that NCAA member schools and conferences not only make the rules but routinely call for greater enforcement of those rules and holding violators accountable,” the statement read according to On3. “In recent years, this has been especially true as it relates to establishing and enforcing a consistent set of national rules intended to manage the name, image and likeness environment. This legal action would exacerbate what our members themselves have frequently described as a ‘wild west’ atmosphere, further tilting competitive imbalance among schools in neighboring states, and diminishing protections for student-athletes from potential exploitation.
“The NCAA remains firmly committed to protecting and expanding student-athletes’ NIL rights and opportunities. However, our membership has steadfastly supported the prohibition on impermissible recruiting contacts, booster involvement in recruiting prospects and the use of NIL offers as recruiting inducements.”
It’s a pretty clear response from the NCAA. We’ll have to see how the legal challenge shakes out.
[On3]
