Finally the NCAA has begun the process of considering whether college athletes will be allowed to be compensated for their names, images and likenesses. Several decades late but welcome to the real world and the issues engulfing collegiate sports.
The stated purpose of a “blue ribbon committee” is to determine whether athletes should be paid for the use of their talents and persona — as in advertising for commercial ventures and/or video games. That could ultimately be limited to a select number of athletes, or possibly allow all athletes to receive limited compensation.
Either approach would take some heat off the NCAA for taking advantage of the athletes, buying some time for the organization and the public to get used to the idea of compensating college athletes.