INDIANAPOLIS—The NCAA announced today the formation of a Division I presidential task force to examine limitations on the future use of student-athlete names, images and likenesses in college sports promotions.

“The NCAA membership has been discussing this issue for quite some time, and with a number of legislative proposals now under consideration, the time is right for a national review at the presidential level,” said David Berst, NCAA vice-president for Division I.

NCAA Division I members are currently reviewing a package containing three proposals generated by an external study group. This group included marketing and compliance experts from NCAA member institutions and members of the NCAA Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet’s agents and amateurism subcommittee.

The three proposals (2007-25, 2007-26 and 2007-28) would update NCAA bylaws related to the use of student-athlete names, likenesses and images in promotional materials at the institutional, conference and national levels. The current bylaws are approximately 20 years old and do not take into account the growth and use of new media technology, Berst said.

The Division I Management Council will provide its initial review of the proposals at the 2008 NCAA Convention in January in Nashville, Tenn.

Berst said the Management Council will be asked to table Proposal 2007-26 at its January meeting as the entire issue is being evaluated by the membership and the task force.

Berst emphasized that the proposals are designed to provide flexibility without allowing student-athletes to endorse products or services. He added that campuses would maintain institutional control over these uses to ensure promotions are consistent with the mission and values of higher education.

Berst said the presidential task force will specifically review these proposals and develop guidelines and principles for advertising and broadcasts surrounding athletic events with the idea of limiting images and footage of student athletes. These guidelines could then be presented to the new Division I Leadership Council (which will replace the Management Council) next fall to develop specific approaches for real-life situations.

“College and university presidents deal with business partnerships on a regular basis in their academic communities, and it is not only helpful but also appropriate to seek their guidance in assisting with the proper posture on this issue,” Berst said. “Colleges and universities are interested in these issues to benefit their entire athletics programs, not just certain sports.”

Proposal 2007-25 applies to institutional, charitable, educational or nonprofit promotions. It would require that promotions clearly identify the connection between the sponsor and the entity.

Proposal 2007-26 addresses the use of a student-athlete’s name, image or likeness in commercial advertisements or promotions. It would allow names or likenesses to appear in commercial promotions if there is no direct endorsement of a product or service by the student-athlete, the institution, the conference or the NCAA. Names, images or likenesses could only come from competition footage, audio or photographs.

Proposal 2007-28 would allow media organizations to feature a student-athlete’s name, image or likeness in promoting coverage of competition where the student-athlete has competed or will compete. The appearance is limited to competition video, audio or photographs.

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