Oklahoma State gamers is not going to have QR codes on their helmets in 2024.
The Cowboys introduced earlier this month that every participant would have a code on their helmets that followers may scan whereas watching the sport. The hyperlink would have taken folks to a donation web page for the varsity’s NIL fund, the place followers may give cash for use to pay gamers for his or her picture rights.
The NCAA, nevertheless, wasn’t too eager on the thought. Simply earlier than its season-opening sport towards South Dakota State on Saturday, Oklahoma State mentioned the NCAA was stopping the varsity from placing the QR codes on the helmets. The varsity mentioned in its assertion that it interpreted the QR codes as “institutional decals permitted underneath NCAA bylaws” whereas the NCAA mentioned the stickers have been “promoting and/or business marks.” These are usually not allowed.
“We disagree with the interpretation of the rule however will abide by it and work with the suitable teams to steer on the wanted change,” Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg mentioned in a press release. “Our folks got here up with an progressive idea to boost the NIL worth of our scholar athletes, however finally, it simply serves as the most recent instance of how faculty sports activities are evolving at a quicker tempo than the rule e book.”
It’s laborious to disagree with Weiberg’s final sentence. The NCAA has been enjoying catch-up ever because it opened the floodgates with out a lot foresight to permit gamers to obtain long-overdue earnings for his or her identify and picture rights. The shortage of planning on the NCAA’s half has led to varsities navigating an unprecedented panorama with out a lot path. And it has additionally led the NCAA to beg Congress for federal legal guidelines to assist govern faculty athletics.
Oklahoma State additionally mentioned that it had even consulted with the Large 12 earlier than unveiling the QR codes and its assertion on Saturday included a remark from Large 12 commissioner Brett Yormark.
“As we enter this new age of school athletics, the Large 12 Convention welcomes the chance to be on the forefront of innovation and creativity,” Yormark mentioned. “I sit up for partnering with the NCAA and my fellow convention commissioners in an effort to modernize laws that allows our faculties to drive worth for our scholar athletes.”
