Pundits spent Tuesday analyzing the NCAA Board’s unanimous vote to begin the process of modifying the organization’s rule to allow college athletes to profit from their names, images and likenesses “in a manner consistent with the collegiate model.” The board manadated that three separate divisions of the organization immediately start figuring out how to update their rules in a way that maintains a distinction between college and professional sports. In the release announcing the vote, board members stated that all changes need to make sure student-athletes have the same opportunities to make money as all other students, keep education and the collegiate experience as a priority and make sure that rules are “transparent, focused and enforceable” and do not create a competitive imbalance. The board wants each division to implement new rules by January 2021.

“As a national governing body, the NCAA is uniquely positioned to modify its rules to ensure fairness and a level playing field for student-athletes,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert. “The board’s action today creates a path to enhance opportunities for student-athletes while ensuring they compete against students and not professionals.”