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 Do fantasy sports threaten student-athlete amateurism? - Oct 28, 2008 | 14:15:10
posted by: Marta Lawrence
This football season marks the first time names have accompanied student-athlete statistics in fantasy games. In the past, fantasy producers, including NCAA broadcast partner CBS, were permitted to use only the statistics and numbers of student-athletes. In making the change, fantasy Web sites cited a June court decision, which held that Major League Baseball did not own player names and statistics and both could be used by companies operating fantasy leagues. The use of student-athlete names has raised issues about the bounds of student-athlete amateurism. During yesterday's meeting of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, commission member Nick Buoniconti criticized the NCAA for not being a strong advocate for the rights of student-athletes. "They [student-athletes] put many, many millions of dollars in the coffers of the universities, and yet no one is willing to go out for them and protect them. I just think it's time for the NCAA to review what their purpose in life is." Responding to Buoniconti's claims, NCAA Vice President Wally Renfro told the Associated Press he agrees with Buoniconti that the use of a college athlete's name and likeness violates the Association's rules and pushes collegiate sports further down the road toward professionalism (which the Association opposes), but he said the NCAA can't take any action unless directed to by its member universities. In the case of intercollegiate athletics, the right of publicity is held by the student-athletes, not the NCAA. And here lies the dilemma. While the Association and NCAA President Myles Brand have maintained opposition to the use of student-athletes' names in fantasy leagues, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the Association to prosecute over a right it does not own. Athletes or former student-athletes could take legal action to prevent use of their names, but a lawsuit has yet to be filed. The NCAA has not been shy in its criticism of the use of names and has sent a letter to CBS declaring its opposition. Brand has also been vocal in opposing use of student-athlete names. In a recent blog post, Brand made his concerns known. "The acquisition and trading of student-athletes, the substitution of their university or college standing with fantasy team names and all for the sake only of virtual competition, runs counter to some of the most important characteristics that distinguish college from professional sports," he wrote. "Those who participate in college sports are students, and the first purpose of intercollegiate athletics is to enhance the educational experience of those students." Lacking a change in the legal decision (the ruling could still be challenged by various entities, including the member institutions, the student-athletes themselves or other third parties), Brand maintains, "our [The NCAA's] best option is to influence the industry leader and others to conduct the fantasy leagues with as much deference to the best interests of intercollegiate athletics as possible." What do you think about the use of names in fantasy leagues? By using names, rather than statistics and numbers, do you think a student-athlete's amateurism hangs in the balance? 
CommentsI don't believe that fantasy sports is that big of a deal. In my opinion it is no diffrent from betting on sports. At the end of the day it is all fun, and people are only playing it because it is something to do, and you could possibly win some money doing it. Especially if you are a fan of a specific player or team, I don't see any harm in it at all. I also don't see it as a distraction for intercollegiate athletes. I do not think that fantasy sports for college athletes could put their student-athlete amateurism at risk. The creators of the video game NCAA football not allowed to put the players names into the game because that is against NCAA rules. I do not see too much of a difference between the video game and fantasy football. I think the use of names in fantasy sports for college athletes isn't a problem. The athletes are probably happy to have their names included into fantasy sports. I do not think that by using names in fantasy sports instead of statistics damages the student-athlete's amateurism at all. I definitely don't think that using names in fantasy sports will hurt college amatuerism. I think it would add more interest actuall in college sports. If you look at how many people watched the NFL games before they started fantasy leagues you would see that it is probably a staggering number. Although people may be following it for the wrong reasons the point is to make money and that's what having a college fantasy league with names would do. I definitely don't think that using names in fantasy sports will hurt college amatuerism. I think it would add more interest actuall in college sports. If you look at how many people watched the NFL games before they started fantasy leagues you would see that it is probably a staggering number. Although people may be following it for the wrong reasons the point is to make money and that's what having a college fantasy league with names would do. I don't think using players' names for fantasy sports is that big of a problem. I know a rule that says collegiate athletes can't make any profits during their careers at school, with that said, as long as the collegiate players aren't making money off these fantasy leagues then it shouldn't cause any concern. It's just their names and stats, no big deal. Using athletes names in fantasy sports doesn't seem like a big deal to me. These athletes that we speak of are national celebrities, in most cases, and have been so from day 1. You have the All-Star High School game televised as well as the day they sign their letter of intent all the way to interviews done on ESPN and pre-draft workouts. These athletes are used to the attention, so why change it now? This is just another way for athletes to get their names out there. I really don't think an athlete is going to dismiss the opportunity to make a name for himself, and if it has to be through fantasy football, I don't see the problem with that. Using athletes names in fantasy sports doesn't seem like a big deal to me. These athletes that we speak of are national celebrities, in most cases, and have been so from day 1. You have the All-Star High School game televised as well as the day they sign their letter of intent all the way to interviews done on ESPN and pre-draft workouts. These athletes are used to the attention, so why change it now? This is just another way for athletes to get their names out there. I really don't think an athlete is going to dismiss the opportunity to make a name for himself, and if it has to be through fantasy football, I don't see the problem with that. The use of fantasy leagues creates an every on-going discussion in collegiate sports about pay for play. I don't really believe that it is a big issue to use the names. The athletes know the situation when they sign their letter of intent, and some probably think it is pretty cool just to be in that situation. Could some feel the need that they should be compensated, maybe. A problem with this would be to have to closely monitor how others may try to interact with the players (extra benefits). The students amateurism is not in the balance I don't believe because the student knows about the situation when they become involved. Although it is another steps towards professionalizing collegiate sports, it is one that can benefit the entire scope of collegiate sports. There will be more involvement from fans and others. I don't believe that fantasy sports threaten student-athelete amateurism because athletes reserve the rights to use their names. Fantasy sports are based on fun, just like the owners of these players have no real ownership of these players neither does the NCAA. These players play the game cause they love it, and they recieve nothing for having their names in these games. I don't feel this is threatening to the student athlete amateurism at all. There is a reason it is called fantasy. The players aren't making money off of it, so I don't see a problem with it. I think it will bring more viewers in the end, because you will have avid fantasy players who didn't use to watch, watching games. I think this if fine and there is nothing to worry about. Post a Comment |
  
Congratulations to all of the fall national champions! Most of you don't get the publicity you deserve, although you each have accomplished great things.
- john
   
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