The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- October 25, 1999

Interpretations

In-Person Meeting No. 4
September 8, 1999

Acting for the Division I Management Council, the Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet Subcommittee on Legislative Review/Interpretations issues the following interpretation:

Financial Aid/Former Professional Athletes

Providing Financial Aid to Former Professional Athletes. It is not permissible for an institution to provide financial aid to a former professional athlete who remains bound by a clause in a contract signed with a professional sports team or organization that suspends the contractual relationship only for a specified period of time (for example, during the academic year while the professional team or organization is out of season), but permits the professional sports team or organization to reinstate the contractual relationship. Such a clause would constitute an active contractual relationship with the professional sports team or organization rather than an option clause that simply allows a professional team or organization to retain the rights to a former player. [References: NCAA Bylaws 15.3.1.4 (institutional financial aid to professional athlete) and 15.3.1.4.1 (exception for former professional athlete).]