College Basketball Players Are Rebelling Against the NCAA on the Eve of March Madness
On the eve of the 2021 NCAA Tournament a number of college basketball players are drawing attention to the name, image, likeness battle brewing beneath the surface of college athletics. Led by Rutgers guard Geo Baker and Iowa's Jordan Bohannon, several players voiced their opinions on Twitter using the hashtag #NotNCAAProperty.
Baker kicked things off:
The NCAA OWNS my name image and likeness. Someone on music scholarship can profit from an album. Someone on academic scholarship can have a tutor service. For ppl who say “an athletic scholarship is enough.” Anything less than equal rights is never enough. I am #NotNCAAProperty
— Geo Baker (@Geo_Baker_1) March 17, 2021
Bohannon followed him:
It’s been far too long. Time for our voices to be heard. #NotNCAAProperty
— Jordan Bohannon (@JordanBo_3) March 17, 2021
Michigan forward Isaiah Livers joined in shortly after:
I am #NotNCAAProperty
— Isaiah (@isaiah__02) March 17, 2021
Rutgers guard Ron Harper Jr. joined his teammate Baker:
HEAR US!! We deserve the rights to OUR names. #NotNCAAProperty
— Ron Harper Jr. (@__RHJR) March 17, 2021
As did center Myles Johnson:
Don’t have to be an engineer to know there needs to be change. #NotNCAAProperty
— Myles Johnson (@MylestheMonster) March 17, 2021
Colorado guard McKinley Wright thanked Baker and Bohannon for starting the movement:
shoutout to @JordanBo_3 & @Geo_Baker_1 for bringing everyone together for a big purpose! It’s bigger than us, we are also looking out for the younger generations after us! #NotNCAAProperty
— McKinley Wright IV (@kin_wright25) March 17, 2021
Virginia Tech forward Cordell Pemsl joined in as well:
We are #NotNCAAProperty ??
— Breezy (@cpemsl35) March 17, 2021
Plenty of other college athletes joined in, telling their stories. Like this one, which is crazy:
I had to quit D3 college soccer because my best friend and I got paid $150 each to make this video for Puma and in the eyes of the NCAA that made me a professional athlete. #NotNCAAProperty pic.twitter.com/xyvqlqVlGD
— Mitchell (@mitchgoulet) March 17, 2021
This is a bold stance from athletes on the eve of the biggest event in college sports. The NCAA Tournament will commence Thursday night and these players just ensured the name, image, likeness debate will be part of the conversation.
Good for them.