Athletes Send Letter to NCAA President Baker Asking for More Voice in Crafting NIL Settlement

A group of 100 collegiate student-athletes, led by Big Ten women's basketball players, sent a letter this week to NCAA president Charlie Baker asking the association to drop its proposed restrictions on the types of NIL deals players are allowed to sign with third-party groups. 

According to ESPN, the letter is signed by USC guard and captain Dominique Darius, and it specifically asks the NCAA to drop the proposed portion of its industry-shifting antitrust settlement that would give the association authority to determine which NIL deals are for "valid business purposes."

The players don't believe they've been given enough information about the settlement process, and they don't believe they've had a large enough voice in shaping the future of their sports. Darius said she and others have considered formally objecting to the settlement deal if it's not amended. 

"We hope it doesn't get to that point," Darius said. "It's a good question. We have the courage to speak up if need be. We hope this helps the NCAA to pivot in the right direction that's more beneficial for athletes."

The NCAA and its top conferences agreed in May to settle a trio of lawsuits that claim the association has illegally restricted the earning power of athletes in a variety of ways. As part of the settlement, schools would be able to share revenue with players up to around $20 million per school next year. That amount would increase annually. 

As part of the current settlement, the NCAA would be given more power to stop booster collectives from using NIL deal as a salary in a "pay for play" manner. The NCAA and an arbiter would be able to stop deals that they feel exceed the player's fair market value. 

"We don't think that makes sense," said Michigan senior Greta Kampschroeder. "We think the free market should determine our fair market value, not the NCAA."

The NCAA acknowledged receiving the players' letter and provided a statement to ESPN that said the association "fully supports college athletes profiting from their NIL" and is "moving forward with a landmark settlement that would deliver new financial benefits to student-athletes."

Northwestern senior Caileigh Walsh decried the lack of transparency in the settlement process. 

"There has been absolutely zero communication," Walsh said. "Northwestern isn't telling us anything about it, so we're trying to get our hands on as much information about it as we can."

The three women basketball players leading the charge are all in their senior years, but said they're hoping to leave the best possible scenario for younger teammates and future generations for players. 

"This is a business, we know that. It's obviously a business," Darius said. "It's time for the NCAA to recognize that and treat it like that. ... The settlement is the first step in becoming a respected business."