NCAA president calls for Congress to address NIL dysfunction
- Charlie Baker highlighted dysfunction in the NIL environment, citing unfulfilled promises to student-athletes.
- His comments were prompted by UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka's decision to end his season over a $100,000 unpaid NIL deal.
- Baker urged Congress to establish national guidelines to protect athletes and standardize NIL contracts.
The NCAA president, Charlie Baker, expressed concerns over the current state of name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements in college sports, highlighting issues of dysfunction and unfulfilled promises to student-athletes. His comments followed a notable incident involving UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka, who ended his season after not receiving a promised $100,000 payment for an NIL deal. Baker's remarks emphasized the need for national guidelines to protect athletes from exploitation and ensure fair terms in contracts. The NCAA has faced legal challenges regarding player payments and is currently involved in a lawsuit that could lead to a $2.78 billion settlement for current and former players. This settlement would limit the NCAA's control over NIL agreements and is expected to last for a decade. Baker's advocacy for congressional action aims to establish a framework that would standardize NIL contracts and safeguard student-athletes' rights, as the landscape of college sports continues to evolve amid ongoing legal and legislative developments.