Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said Tuesday that he supports the Fair Pay to Play movement in college sports.
At the ACC’s preseason media day event, he told reporters that it’s time to change the NCAA’s amateur model.
“I don’t – and won’t – pretend to understand all the complexities of such a change,” Krzyzewski said. ”However, it is a sign of the times that we in college athletics must continually adapt, albeit in a sensible manner.”
California’s Fair Pay to Play act, which was signed into law Sept. 30, will allow college athletes in the state to make money off endorsements, which the NCAA’s current amateur model does not allow. Representatives from several other states have introduced their own legislation or announced their intention to do so since then.
Krzyzewski continued:
“While we have made significant progress in recent years, we have not always responded to the needs and rights of our players swiftly, and frankly, we’re playing catch-up after years of stagnant rules,” Krzyzewski said. “I hope and trust that not only will there be a plan to put the student-athletes’ best interests at the forefront, but that we’ll also have a firm plan for implementation at the national level.”
