Ncaa May Pay Athletes

Unnerved by the flood of underclassmen turning pro and by the growing influence of agents, the NCAA is considering paying its athletes.

NCAA executive director Cedric Dempsey said that, if approved, the money most likely would be given to athletes as a loan repaid with pro earnings or from a trust funded by endorsements.

An ad-hoc NCAA committee is studying the two ideas, which could be proposed as legislation at what is to be the NCAA’s final convention next January in Nashville, Tenn.

“These are discussions that have taken place, not proposals,” Dempsey stressed. “Nothing is already cast in stone.”