Around the country, college sports teams enjoy huge followings, some nearly as big as pro teams. Here in N.C., we see that fandom in nationwide support the football and basketball programs at Duke, UNC + N.C. State. The fan base is there — and so is the money.

The top players for college teams have become a huge draw for fans + merch-buyers, and generate $1 billion of dollars in revenue for the NCAA and the schools where they play. This year, California was the first state to pass a bill that would allow NCAA athletes to profit from sales of products that use their name, image + likeness beginning in 2023. The bill started a chain reaction among states that supported this change and they began to craft similar legislation. Shortly after, the NCAA announced a revision, and the organization is currently working on a policy to allow NCAA athletes to profit from the use of their name, image + likeness, as long as it is made clear that academics are the priority and student athletes are not employees of the university.

So how will this potentially affect N.C. student athletes?

Let’s use Zion Williamson as an example. During his time as a forward for Duke’s basketball team, the university saw jersey sales double when he officially joined the team + road games saw a 200% increase in ticket prices.

Zion is a special case when it comes to profitability for a school, but with the new rules that will come into effect for NCAA athletes, it could change the way student athletes are compensated across the country.

Outside of the national changes, N.C. is taking it a step further to help college athletes across the state. A bill has been proposed by N.C. lawmakers to give NCAA athletes legal protections ranging from healthcare to legal representation in NCAA infraction cases. Senate Bill 335 was filed on March 21st, 2019 and is currently in the Senate.

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