College athletes could soon be able to profit off their image. NCAA top officials voted Tuesday to begin the process of allowing college athletes to make money off their name, image and likeness.
"It's definitely something that you can keep in the back of your head," said Kalel Mullings.
Future collegiate athletes like Mullings could soon be benefiting from a new wave of opportunities.
"It allows players to now feel like they are doing something not only for the school and for the NCAA, but also for themselves as well," Mullings said.
Mullings will be playing football at the University of Michigan next fall; he's currently a senior linebacker and running back at Milton Academy.
The NCAA is still working through the details, and any updates won't be made until January 20th or 21st. This could be a game-changer for upcoming top athletes like Kalel.
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"Now it adds another layer, my brand, my agent, what I'm going to do, what endorsement deal I'm going to take, things like that," he said.
Northeastern University Athletic Director Jeff Konya is on board.
"I do think it's a step in the right direction," he said.
Although Konya believes this may only benefit top-tier athletes, it could give local college athletes the chance to form relationships with businesses.
"What that's going to represent for them is how they're going to position themselves in the Boston market in terms of their sport," Konya said.
Other changes this could bring are the chance for college athletes to hire agents, but details are still in the works. The change is also affecting lawmakers in states like North Carolina, who believe the athlete's scholarships should then be treated like income and become taxed.
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