NCAA president Mark Emmert has warned California lawmakers that a proposed bill allowing athletes to be paid for use of their name and likeness "would have a negative impact on the exact student-athletes it intends to assist."
USA Today obtained a copy of a letter Emmert sent to two state assembly leaders last week, which said it "implied" that if the bill becomes law as it is currently written, the NCAA could ban California schools from participating in NCAA championship events.
“We recognize all of the efforts that have been undertaken to develop this bill in the context of complex issues related to the current collegiate model that have been the subject of litigation and much national debate," Emmert said in the letter. "Nonetheless, when contrasted with current NCAA rules, as drafted the bill threatens to alter materially the principles of intercollegiate athletics and create local differences that would make it impossible to host fair national championships. As a result, it likely would have a negative impact on the exact student-athletes it intends to assist."
The bill, which would take effect in 2023, passed the state senate last month and is set for a hearing and vote in a state assembly committee Tuesday.
Emmert wants the assembly to delay passage of the bill while the NCAA reviews its own rules on compensating athletes for use of their names, images and likenesses. The NCAA created a group in mid-May to consider that issue. It's findings are due in October.
USA Today reports that Emmert's letter prompted California lawmakers to amend the proposed legislation to possibly incorporate the NCAA's group's findings.