drakelead 
On November 16, 2020, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) issued its proposed bylaws to be considered at its January 12-15, 2021 Convention. Included therein are the long-awaited new bylaws that would allow NCAA athletes to be compensated for the commercial use of their own Names, Images, and Likenesses (NILs), subject to certain restrictions. If adopted, … Read more
Clinicians and administrators currently working at major universities speak on college athletes mental health issues, differences related to race and gender, personnel needs not being met and other critical issues. Moderator: EMMETT GILL, Chief Visionary Officer for Athletes and Advocates for Social Justice, Member, The Drake Group Board of Directors Panelists: SHAMAREE BROWN, Director, Student-Athlete … Read more
Current and former college athletes answer questions on the new name, image, likeness rules allowing athletes to make money while retaining their eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Moderator: Katie Lever, Chief Communications Officer, The Drake Group. Panelists: MAURICE CLARETT, nationally acclaimed author, former Ohio State running back, BRIANNA ELLIS, sophomore point guard, U. of … Read more
National experts answer questions on the new name, image, likeness rules allowing athletes to make money while retaining their eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Moderator: Katie Lever, Chief Communications Officer, The Drake Group. Panelists: VAL ACKERMAN, Commissioner, Big East Conference, LEN ELMORE, Co-Chair, Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, BLAKE LAWRENCE, Co-Founder and CEO, Opendorse, … Read more
The Drake Group is maintaining a state-by-state database tracking all state legislative actions recognizing the rights of college athletes to monetize their own names, images, and likenesses (NILs) via employment and endorsements outside their collegiate institutions. Questions should be directed to Drake board member Julie Sommer at jsommer@jsommerlaw.com. SEE QUICK EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND FULL DATABASE … Read more
By William Rudelius The U.S. Congress is showing signs of life related to tackling the need for collegiate athletics reform. Why is Congress getting involved, and why should it step in and force reform of college athletics? Answer: Because the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) has become a trade association for commercialized collegiate football and … Read more
By Dr. Andrew Zimbalist and Dr. Donna A. Lopiano Originally published September 15, 2020 Thirty-four states have proposed or passed legislation to allow their college athletes to earn income from their names, images, and likenesses (NILs). Unfortunately, there is considerable variation in what these bills provide. It would be unworkable for colleges in the same … Read more
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — On August 3, 2020, U.S. Senators Cory Booker, Richard Blumenthal, Christopher Murphy, Kirsten Gillibrand, Ron Wyden, Mazie Hirono, and Kamala Harris issued a “College Athletes Bill of Rights” statement that sought to advance justice and opportunity for college athletes and promised future legislation to realize their position. On August 13, they … Read more
On August 3, 2020, U.S. Senators Cory Booker, Richard Blumenthal, Christopher Murphy, Kirsten Gillibrand, Ron Wyden, Mazie Hirono, and Kamala Harris issued a “College Athletes Bill of Rights” statement that sought to advance justice and opportunity for college athletes and promised future legislation to realize their position. On August 13, they were joined by Senators … Read more
The Drake Group is honoring Nancy Hogshead-Makar, J.D. with the 2020 Drake Hero Award for her determined and extraordinary efforts to advance the collegiate sports reform movement through persistent actions over the past thirty years. Hogshead-Makar’s leadership in addressing sexual abuse in sport, which began long before the recent horrific revelations in gymnastics, is path-breaking, … Read more