The president of the NCAA lashed out at “evidence of dysfunction in today’s NIL environment” while reiterating his desire to see Congress create national guidelines to shape so-called name, image and likeness endorsement deals that are reshaping college sports.
Charlie Baker’s social media posting came Friday, wrapping up a week in which UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka made headlines by abruptly ending his season. His agent explained that Sluka made the decision after not being paid $100,000 for an NIL deal promised by an assistant coach when the quarterback agreed to transfer to the Rebels last winter.
Baker didn’t mention the Sluka matter directly in his post, but it referenced “promises made but not kept.”
“We continue to see evidence of dysfunction in today’s NIL environment, including examples of promises made but not kept to student-athletes,” Baker said.
He pointed out a template contract the NCAA provides athletes that includes what he calls “recommended, fair terms.” But the NCAA, a steady loser in court in recent years on the issue of player payments, does not have the authority to compel athletes to go by its standards.
On Thursday, attorneys filed a reworded settlement proposal on a lawsuit that would funnel $2.78 billion…
