U.S. Supreme Court Rules Against NCAA
In a unanimous 9-0 vote, the United States Supreme Court ruled against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the case involving former West Virginia athlete Shawne Alston.
In a concurrent opinion written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh on Monday:
"Nowhere else in America can businesses get away with agreeing to not pay their workers a fair market rate on their theory that their product is defined by not paying their workers a fair market rate. The NCAA is not above the law."
Various states (including Michigan) have passed legislation that would allow college athletes to make money off of their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). The law in Michigan takes effect in 2023. Other states, like California, have enacted similar legislation.
Many people believe that Monday's ruling would open up the possibility of other lawsuits against the NCAA by either current or former student-athletes.