On Monday the Supreme Court of the United States announced it has unanimously ruled against the NCAA in its case regarding the limitations on compensation of student-athletes.
The case of the NCAA v. Alston, involved former West Virginia football players Shawn Alston and Justin Hartman who’d accused the NCAA of violating anti-trust laws through the eligibility rules regarding compensation for players. Alston and his attorneys believed student-athletes should be able to receive education related tools such as computers, paid internships, tutoring, studying abroad programs and musical instruments.
The NCAA believed these assessments were “micromanaging” rules that should be decided by organization’s own members and that the added benefits to the students were “akin to professional salaries.”
Nonetheless the court ruled 9-0 in favor of Alston which also opens the door for future cases which will challenge the NCAA’s current business model.
“It’s tremendous to win this 9-0,” lead plaintiff’s attorney Jeffrey Kessler said to ESPN on Monday. “Hopefully it will be the major next step on the road to a true fair competitive system for these athletes.”
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey also released a statement following the ruling.
“The Supreme Court’s opinion today in the Alston case provides clarity as we more forward to provide additional educationally related benefits to student-athletes,” read Sankey’s statement. “What is also clear is the need for the continuing evaluation of the collegiate model consistent with the Court’s decision and message. Our next step is to engage with out member institutions to consider the implications of the opinion delivered today by the Court and to continue our tradition of providing superior educational and competitive opportunities while effectively supporting our student-athletes.”
Before the ruling the NCAA had allowed schools a $5,000 cap which it could provide outside tuition and room and board. Now universities can provide their student-athletes even more resources to aid their educational endeavors.
Compensation for student-athletes will be coming into the forefront even more so in the coming weeks as the NCAA will be looking to implement its new name image and likeness rules before July 1 when six states were due to pass their own bills on the matter.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
