STARKVILLE — It’s been over six years since EA Sports released its last NCAA football video game.
While the series of console-based games has been snagged by legal hurdles, a new edition may be on shelves soon — and if Mississippi State junior running back Kylin Hill has his way, an image of him hurdling a defender would grace the cover.
“I’d have to frame that one,” Hill said through a laugh.
Though video games are just the tip of the iceberg, the NCAA’s ruling Tuesday that it will lay out a plan to allow players to profit from their names, images and likenesses stands to change the framework of college athletics.
Following a lengthy debate that was expedited with the passing of California law SB 206 — a bill that prohibited athletic associations, conferences or other groups from preventing collegiate athletes in California from profiting off their name, image, or likeness — on Sept. 11, the NCAA Board of Governors voted unanimously to allow such profits.
NCAA president Mark Emmert issued the following statement regarding the new legislation:
“As a national governing body, the NCAA is uniquely positioned to modify its rules to ensure fairness and a level playing field for student-athletes. The board’s action today creates a new path to enhance opportunities for student-athletes while ensuring they compete against students and not professionals.”
While the ruling was settled far from Starkville, a handful of MSU football players were asked about the decision during Tuesday’s media availability.
“Not really,” freshman quarterback Garrett Shrader said of whether paying players is a common topic of discussion in the locker room.
“They just tell me I’m ugly,” he added through a smirk.
“I’m sure guys probably love it, but right now I’m just not focused on it,” senior center and team captain Darryl Williams said. “I’m focused on getting our second SEC win.”
MSU athletic director John Cohen also issued the following statement on the matter:
“We recognize the important actions taken today by the NCAA Board of Governors to enhance name, image and likeness opportunities for student-athletes. We take pride in the student-athlete experience we currently provide at Mississippi State. We will continue to support the best interests of our student-athletes and look forward to providing feedback to the SEC and NCAA that creates a fair structure within the guidelines of the NCAA working group.”
With the new legislation in its infancy, the ramifications of the NCAA’s ruling remains to be seen. So while maroon and white-clad fans may be anxious to purchase a Kylin Hill-covered video game or a Garrett Shrader-sponsored beard cream, those products are likely still a ways away.
“We must embrace change to provide the best possible experience for college athletes,” Ohio State president and NCAA Board of Governors chair Michael V. Drake said in a news release. “Additional flexibility in this area can and must continue to support college sports as a part of higher education. This modernization for the future is a natural extension of the numerous steps NCAA members have taken in recent years to improve support for student-athletes, including full cost of attendance and guaranteed scholarships.”
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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