ROSEMONT, Ill. – Gophers basketball coach Richard Pitino hadn't planned on starting a trend Wednesday to oppose the NCAA's resistance to allowing athletes to make money off their name, image and likeness.
Still, that's exactly what Pitino did when he was the first coach at Big Ten media day to support the California bill passed this week to allow college athletes to profit off endorsements that use their names and likenesses, which will take effect in 2023.
"I think it's progress," Pitino said. "Over the last couple years, we're headed in the right direction with taking care of our student-athletes. I don't know exactly what it's going to be, but I think it's a good idea. I know a lot of people are pushing for it."
Pitino's comments came two days after California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law that he thought would inspire "dozens of other states to introduce similar legislation." It happened with proposals being worked on in New York, Florida, Minnesota and other states.
"The biggest thing now is just getting everybody on the same page, getting all the states, getting the NCAA and getting everybody working together," Pitino added. "The more we can get these guys — I'm all for it."
Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany, who will officially be replaced by Kevin Warren in January, expressed disappointment Wednesday in what the California bill would do to the NCAA's current amateur model.
"I don't see any difference between name, image and likeness and pay for play," Delany said. "I know people differ on it. I believe the law of unintended consequences and the law of slippery slope apply here. My view is I'll be out in 85 days. I think this will be discussed, and I think it will be litigated, and I think it will be a congressional issue. We're not perfect, but I think the opportunities we have for the greater many shouldn't be sacrificed by the 1 percent that probably would have an opportunity to benefit here."
"It's a college game, it's different from the NBA, different than the Olympics and different than the playgrounds," Delany added. "I hope we can maintain the opportunities we have for men and women and avoid pay for play."