Sport

New Rules, Same Old Game: NCAA's Athlete Pay Conundrum

2025-06-11

Author: Ying

A Blast from the Past: Bob Knight's Warning

Back in 2004, legendary basketball coach Bob Knight delivered a striking message at the National Press Club, highlighting the NCAA's obsession with complex rules. He contrasted a streamlined copy of the U.S. Constitution with the NCAA's thick rulebook, pointing out the absurdities plaguing college athletics.

Rule-Breaking: An Ongoing NCAA Nightmare

Knight’s observations ring true today; the NCAA's manual ballooned because coaches, players, and even sponsors continuously found ways to circumvent the rules. The simple edict that players could only receive tuition, room, and board never stood a chance against capitalism's influence.

Jerry Tarkanian, another legendary coach, once joked that 'nine out of ten schools are cheating, and the tenth is in last place.' This reality is as relevant now as it was then.

Back to Business: The Wild West of NIL

After a brief pause, the NCAA finds itself back in the rule-making game. The introduction of name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation had been touted as the Wild West of college sports—where anything went under the table. But recent developments suggest a return to the same convoluted status quo.

The House Settlement: New Era with Familiar Pitfalls

Last Friday, a California judge approved the House settlement, promising to initiate a new phase for college athletes. Schools can now share revenue directly with athletes, but the deal also imposes a cap on payouts and refrains from classifying players as university employees. It's convoluted and potentially fraught with loopholes.

Can the NCAA Really Enforce These New Rules?

Experts, including Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, have expressed skepticism about enforcing these new regulations. Many believe that the historical precedent indicates a high likelihood of rule-breaking. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips pointed out the challenges of regulating a previously unregulated environment.

An Unpredictable Future for College Sports

While the NIL era opened the floodgates for compensation, it also leveled the playing field—bringing unexpected equity among schools competing for championships. But now, a new question arises: can the NCAA actually ensure compliance? Will teams adhere to the salary cap? Or will those accused of cheating simply push back harder?

The Dilemma of Accountability

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark insists that schools want rules and will abide by them. However, many coaches anonymously express doubts about the effectiveness of this oversight.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey revealed that coaches prefer a system with guardrails, but the realities of competition present unique challenges.

The Unstoppable Value of Winning

In college sports, the worth of a winning player is invaluable—affecting everything from coach longevity to school revenue and admissions. With NIL still in play, the potential for exceeding established payment structures remains high.

As history shows, if the NCAA struggled to enforce benefits before, the prospect of successful regulation now appears daunting in a landscape fraught with complexities.

A Post-Deregulation Reality Check

Phillips acknowledges the imperfections in the new system but emphasizes a commitment to adapt and protect college sports. Yet, the ever-expanding NCAA rulebook beckons us back to familiar patterns: new regulations that could paradoxically lead to the same chaotic environment.