Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski became the most prominent college basketball backer of California’s Fair Pay to Play Act on Tuesday.
The bill, signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom, would allow college athletes to profit off their name and likeness. Kyzyzewski said he was “really happy” about its passage, and that it “pushes the envelope” after the NCAA’s failure to keep up with current realities.
Mike Krzyzewski is in favor of what California governor @GavinNewsom did, said dozens of states will pass legislation by end of 2019-20 season .”We need to stay current with what’s happening. I’m glad it was passed because it pushes the envelope, it pushes the issue.”
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) October 8, 2019
Krzyzewski also said NIL coming to this point with legislation became inevitable because NCAA lagged on issue for decades. “We’ve had our head in the sand a lot for college.” … “We’re not good game planners for the future. We’re reactionary. We don’t set the pace.”
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) October 8, 2019
Krzyzewski is the most prominent coach in college athletics and is openly lobbying for NIL rights for college athletes. Said he’s going to release a formal statement on this later today as well.
“I’m really happy this is happening.”
Pretty big moment.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) October 8, 2019
Mike Krzyzewski’s prepared statement that speaks in favor of name, image and likeness rules/laws for college athletes. pic.twitter.com/i8dRHyIjdW
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) October 8, 2019
This is a significant blow to the NCAA’s opposition to the current law. While they have a point that a lack of standardization on a state-by-state basis could prove problematic, their main objection seemed to be that they didn’t have a say in its implementation or passage. If more high-profile names come out in favor of the principle, the heat will be turned up on the NCAA to do something or change its tune.
