Do you know how bad someone else’s case must be when today the United States Supreme Court is politically motivated if it doesn’t fall 9-0 in your favor? Welcome to the NCAA versus Alston. The decision stated that the NCAA cannot cap compensation related to educational services, and as Judge Brett Kavanaugh wrote in his opinion, “Nowhere else in America can companies get away with not paying their workers a fair market rate, based on the theory that that their product is defined by not paying their workers a fair market price.”
Emmert’s ineffective leadership raised hopes that the federal government might commission something to better define the rules of amateurism. In Washington’s Checks and Balances, all three branches of government appear to be represented by people who know the NCAA has failed. The ruling, written by Judge Neil Gorsuch, says schools could offer college athletes educational benefits like a laptop. The ruling did not specifically address the legislation on names, images and likenesses. It’s the biggest elephant in the room and even Emmert’s fool saw that.
“Although the decision does not directly address name, likeness and likeness, the NCAA remains committed to supporting NIL benefits for student athletes,” Emmert said in a statement following the decision. “Furthermore, we remain committed to working with Congress to find a way forward, which is a point the Supreme Court made specifically in its ruling.” Congress’ response was, “If you didn’t have that yourself to find out?”
