"Amateur status" rules allow the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to generate billions of dollars in revenue off the labor of Black athletes, while many of these athletes struggle to pay for room and board and have sufficient money for food.

Under the NCAA’s rules, college players can’t profit from their own image or likenesses. Because of rigorous practice and game schedules, student-athletes cannot work while under scholarship. And because of the demands the NCAA puts on Black athletes to generate revenue, many find it impossible to earn a degree while they play. Not only are the NCAA's rules denying Black athletes fair compensation, they're robbing players of a chance to get a degree. Additionally, fewer than 2% of student-athletes go on to be professional athletes so collegiate athletics may be the only chance for these students to earn money from their athletic talent.

But we have a historic opportunity to ensure Black athletes get paid for their work. Senate Bill 206, the Fair Pay to Play Act, would allow college athletes to profit from their own names, images, and likenesses. It is a step in the right direction for fairness in collegiate sports. The bill has been approved by the California Assembly and now requires Governor Newsom's signature to become a law. We have to keep pushing until Governor Newsom signs this bill!

Passing this bill in California would pave the way for similar legislation throughout the country, advancing ethical treatment of our student-athletes. But the NCAA is concerned only about its profits and continuing to make billions of dollars off the backs of Black student-athletes. These athletes are expected to survive on no income while the NCAA, coaches, universities, and sports companies make billions of dollars off their labor. The football and basketball players — mostly Black students — bring in the most money for universities, brands, and TV networks. It is unacceptable for Black student-athletes to struggle when they bring in billions of dollars. It's time to stop the exploitation of Black student-athletes.