As the FBI burrows its way through the seedy underbelly of college basketball recruiting and the world's best basketball player calling the NCAA "corrupt," NCAA president Mark Emmert admits change is needed to the system—just not one that involves paying players.
He may be open to an Olympic-style model of amateurism, which would allow players to cash in on endorsements:
"I haven't heard any universities say that they want to change amateurism to move into a model where student athletes are paid by universities and universities are negotiating with agents for their relationships with a school," Emmert said. "I would be surprised if the commission came forward with that kind of recommendation."
Emmert said allowing athletes to earn money for things such as endorsements from outside sources is worthy of consideration.
"Worthy of consideration" is a far cry from "a sensible compromise that absolutely should happen," so NCAA players shouldn't be lining up endorsement deals just yet.
