MINNEAPOLIS — Millions of fans spend billions on college sports, and the athletes who play them make nothing.
But a California law passed Monday means college athletes can now profit from endorsements, an idea Minnesota governor Tim Walz says he's open to discussing.
“This is not your 1950s NCAA,” said Walz. “This is a modern multibillion dollar operation and I think it's worth exploring.”
It could happen soon. Rep. Nolan West (R-Blaine) says he'll introduce a bill in the next legislative session similar to California's, saying that precedent makes him optimistic.
“With California passing it, that's what I'm working with,” said West. “Because they open the door to actually get it done. Without California it would be pretty difficult.”
But the bill is not without its critics, including Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany. He says just 1 or 2% of players have what he calls "commercial value" and that the law is “a slippery slope” that could affect opportunities for many just to benefit that 1%.
University of Minnesota Athletic Director Mark Coyle says only that the U is aware of the Californial bill, and will work with the Big Ten moving forward.
NFL agent Blake Baratz says now there's no going back, calling the NCAA "antiquated" with a system that's long been unfair.
“A 14-year-old tennis player can leave and go pro,” said Baratz. “But if the basketball player gets a ride or gets a sandwich but they become immediately ineligible.”
Baratz says college athletes in major sports are filling stadiums like professionals but not getting paid for it. And now the law will force the NCAA to change that.
“You’ll start to bring in some people and have them sit down at a table and come up with a tangible solution,” Baratz said.
A solution that could vasty change both college sports----and the bank accounts of those who play them.
