The NCAA announced on Tuesday that they will allow student athletes to profit off their names, images and likeness.
This news comes after California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law the Fair Pay to Play Act which allowed student athletes to make money off their likeness. This has put pressure on the NCAA to make a decision whether or not they would allow their student athletes to make this profit.
Grand Rapids Community College students gave their reaction to this surprising turn of events.
When asked about their personal opinion on the subject, 19-year-old student Amel Sefer stated,
“I think it’s pretty cool,” said 19-year-old student Amel Sefer. “It gives student athletes an advantage…I think it’ll be better (for the sport).
Yaxzen Pichardo, a 17-year-old student agreed.,
“I think it’s fair as they’re playing for a big school and that school makes money off their sport and they should be able to make some of that also,” Pichardo said.
“I think it’s good,” 19-year-old student Bawi Lian said. “They’re considered professionals, so why shouldn’t they make money off that.”
18-year-old student athlete Montrayl Simpson stated,
“Me personally I think its a good idea because high school athletes coming into college have worked hard to get those D-1 offers. Them making money off of basketball, which is a thing that they love is good for them.”
When asked on if it will be good for sports overall,
Sefer thought it would be positive overall stating,
“I think people who knows who those players are will get recognized and will be more successful.”
Pichardo felt like it would have no effect stating,
“I feel like it wouldn’t change much the players would still be there, they would just be getting paid for it. They would still be the same skilled players that attend the school.”
Simpson’s answer was more on the effect it will have on the future stating,
“I think it’s positive because them getting paid to play sports in college will motivate younger kids and younger generations.”
