Amateurism in college sports has become a hot topic with the proliferation of lawsuits by college athletes essentially seeking “pay for play.” For example, in the O’Bannon and related cases, college players are suing the NCAA and its business partners, seeking compensation for the use of player names and likenesses in ancillary consumer products like video games. Given that amateurism at its core requires not being paid for participation, college sports is most certainly at a crossroads. Many are debating the appropriateness of compensating athletes and the amounts they should receive. Others are considering the potential implications of athlete pay on Title IX. But the professionalization (or commercialization) of amateurism extends far beyond athlete remuneration. Athletes’ intellectual property rights play an increasingly significant role in collegiate athletics. Colleges and universities also place many workplace restrictions on athletes, including bans or limitations on social media usage. In light of these issues, this panel will explore the evolving concept of amateurism, particularly with the continued professionalization of college sports. The panel will also consider lessons from the United States Olympic Committee in its efforts to manage its definition of amateurism, and forecast future challenges in this evolving area of law and business.
Business meeting at program conclusion.