The NCAA’s long-standing principle of amateurism faced another challenge, this time from Monaco.
According to the sport’s international governing body based in Monaco, track and field gold medalists at the Olympics will now receive $50,000 in prize money for individual wins. Additionally, silver and bronze medalists will also be awarded prize money at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe emphasized the importance of giving back to athletes who contribute to the global spectacle of the Olympic Games.
However, it remains uncertain whether current college athletes are allowed to accept this prize money. The NCAA currently prohibits athletes from receiving prize money at events like the U.S. Open unless it comes from the athlete’s national or international governing body or the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
While some college athletes can receive money through programs like Operation Gold, the restrictions around prize money for athletes in other events are outdated.
A lawsuit filed by University of North Carolina tennis player Reese Brantmeier challenges these restrictions, arguing that athletes should be allowed to keep the prize money they earn.
With ongoing legal challenges to the NCAA’s amateurism rules, the organization faces scrutiny for its policies on prize money for college athletes. It’s time for a change to allow athletes to receive their hard-earned prize money while maintaining their eligibility.
Let’s ensure that college athletes can keep their prize money and continue competing at the collegiate level.