Profit and Power over Protection: NCAA's Slow Response to Health Concerns and the Rise of Name, Image, and Likeness in College Sports.

The article discusses the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) inadequate response to health concerns among student-athletes and the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights in college sports. It highlights the historical neglect of athlete welfare, emphasizing the need for the NCAA to prioritize safety and accountability while adapting to recent legal and legislative changes that allow athletes to profit from their NIL. The article argues for reforms, including recognizing student-athletes as employees to ensure better protections and compensation, and calls for a unified regulatory framework to address the chaotic NIL environment. Ultimately, it stresses the importance of meaningful reforms to safeguard the health and rights of student-athletes who contribute significantly to the lucrative college sports industry. [Extracted from the article]