The recent House v. NCAA settlement has many people talking about the future of college sports. While some see it as a step forward, others worry about the unintended consequences, especially regarding how college athletes might be seen as employees. This change could bring a lot of complications, particularly concerning injuries and the overall structure of college athletics.
The Employee Question
One of the biggest changes from the settlement is the idea that college athletes could be considered employees of their universities. This might sound good on the surface, as it means athletes could get paid directly by their schools. However, being an employee comes with a lot of other things that might not be so great. It’s not just about getting paid; it’s about all the rules and responsibilities that come with employment.
Key Takeaways
Work Injuries: If athletes are employees, then any injury they get while playing could be a work injury. This means they might have to go through the workers’ compensation system.
Doctor Choice: In many states, like Georgia, workers’ compensation claims mean you can’t pick your own doctors. For high-level athletes, having control over their medical care is really important.
Settlement Issues: To pick their own doctor, athletes might have to settle their case, which often means leaving their employer. This could mean leaving their team, which is a big deal for college athletes.
The Messy Reality of Work Claims
Thinking about work claims for college athletes brings up a lot of questions. For example, if an athlete gets hurt at one school and then transfers to another, how does their work claim follow them? They might have to find a doctor in a new state who accepts workers’ compensation payments, which can be a real headache. College athletic departments are not set up to handle these kinds of claims, and it’s unclear how they would manage a full claims department.
Impact on College Sports
This new setup could also have a negative effect on smaller sports, women’s sports, and smaller schools. Universities with smaller budgets might find it hard to keep up with the costs and complexities of treating athletes as employees. This could lead to a situation where only the biggest schools, like Ohio State or Oregon, can afford to compete, while smaller programs might just disappear. It’s a tough situation that could change the landscape of college athletics as we know it.
