This archive report was first published on 9 October 2019.
California Governor Gavin Newsom's recent signing of the Fair Pay to Play Act has sparked a long-overdue conversation about the financial exploitation of college athletes. The law, set to take effect in 2023, would allow students to strike endorsement deals, transforming the business model of college sports.
For Katelyn Ohashi, a U.C.L.A. gymnast who recently went viral with her top-scoring floor routine, this change couldn't come soon enough. As she notes in a video op-ed, N.C.A.A. rules prevented her from making any money from her performance, despite her talent and dedication.
As Ohashi points out, this is not an isolated incident. Women and athletes in sports without professional leagues are disproportionately affected by the current system, which prioritizes the interests of colleges and the N.C.A.A. over those of the athletes themselves.
While the N.C.A.A. may try to challenge the law, California's large college system and influence in college sports make it unlikely that they will be able to penalize the state's universities or expel them from the association.
Katelyn Ohashi (@katelyn_ohashi) is an American gymnast and recent graduate of U.C.L.A.
