NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL: The amateur model in college sports is in serious trouble, with a federal district judge on Friday certifying a class-action suit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Under N.C.A.A. rules, student athletes may not receive compensation — a policy that effectively blocks players from entering into group licensing agreements. The N.C.A.A., however, sells the names and images of players for use in game footage, photographs and video games.
Twenty-five current and former student athletes, led by Ed O’Bannon, a former basketball star at the University of California, Los Angeles, are challenging the N.C.A.A.’s right to take in billions while players get nothing. Judge Claudia Wilken granted the plaintiffs class certification in seeking injunctive relief, but she denied it for damages (individuals can still pursue claims for monetary damages independently).
If the players win at trial, it could pave the way to a collegiate trade association, which could negotiate collective licensing or television deals and then distribute the proceeds to student athletes as the National Football League Players Association does for professionals… (more)
