The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) took a major step into the future of college sports. Student-athletes will be able to receive compensation from “use of their name, image and likeness” said the top NCAA governing board. This new ruling could affect some Bridgeland signees as they sign their National Letter of Intent. 

Tuesday, October 29, the NCAA voted unanimously in favor of player compensation. The change in rules will be enforced in each of the three divisions (Division I, II and III) by 2021 as they add their own version of the rule. This ruling comes as a surprise as the NCAA’s top governing board called the bill that California’s Governor Gavin Newsom signed to allow players to strike endorsement deals and hire agents “unconstitutional.”

Ten student-athletes will feel the effects of the new rule as the signed their National Letter of Intent on Nov. 13.

With the rule going into play in  2021, senior Taylor Phillips a Southeastern Louisiana baseball commit will have to wait a full year before he is eligible to receive compensation but will still feel the effects. Although Phillips will be able to receive compensation as a student-athlete, he is not in favor of the new rule and the way it will change the meaning of college sports to players.

“You start playing for self gain rather than an overall team success,” Phillips said.

Taylor also believes schools already compensate athletes well enough as they receive free tuition and fees, housing, board and course related books.

“I feel that when you go to play at a Division 1 school that it is like a job. They are paying for your schooling in return for you to help them win in whatever that is,” Phillips said.

With many opinions lingering around and many picking sides, the NCAA has made their choice to move forward with the new rule. Senior, Alexis Vaughn an Abilene Christian University volleyball commit, is in favor of the new ruling.

“If you’re really going there to play your heart out and you’re amazing and the team’s stud player, you could really do big things with it.” Vaughn said.