The president of the NCAA lashed out at “evidence of dysfunction in today’s NIL environment” while reiterating his desire to see the federal government create national guidelines to shape so-called name, image and likeness endorsement deals that are reshaping college sports.
Charlie Baker’s social media post came Friday, wrapping up a week in which UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka made headlines by abruptly ending his season with the Rebels undefeated through three games. His agent explained that Sluka made the decision after not being paid $100,000 for an NIL deal that was promised by an assistant coach when the former Holy Cross star agreed to transfer to the Rebels last winter.
Baker didn’t reference the Sluka case 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,” said Baker, a former governor of Massachusetts who took over as the head of the NCAA in March 2023.
He pointed out a template contract the NCAA provides athletes that includes what he calls “recommended, fair terms.” However, 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.