[82lsju]

First, I disagree. They’re not being paid for their services. They’re being compensated for the universities use of their name and likeness. It’s no different than if Stanford started marketing using  Reese Witherspoon.  She’d be entitled to be paid for the use of her name and likeness. Doesn’t make her an employee.

Second, even if I’m wrong – which is quite possible- the power five conferences will have scores of lawyers analyzing this. No way they’re going to go that route if there’s even a colorable claim that this turns the athletes into employees.

I guess it will depend at least in part on the details from

The new rules would also create a new subdivision of Division I schools that would be allowed to create its own set of rules for recruiting, transfers, roster size and a wide range of other policies. To be a part of that subdivision, each school would have to put millions of dollars each year into a trust fund for athletes.

and if Stanford started marketing using Reese Witherspoon I would imagine that while she might not be an employee she'd have some sort of contract in place and be a contractor and get a form 1099, and at least where I work you can only be a contractor for I think 12 months then you are let go (you can return in I think three months) so the company is not at risk of having you be considered a full time employee

[82lsju]

First, I disagree. They’re not being paid for their services. They’re being compensated for the universities use of their name and likeness. It’s no different than if Stanford started marketing using  Reese Witherspoon.  She’d be entitled to be paid for the use of her name and likeness. Doesn’t make her an employee.

Second, even if I’m wrong – which is quite possible- the power five conferences will have scores of lawyers analyzing this. No way they’re going to go that route if there’s even a colorable claim that this turns the athletes into employees.

I guess it will depend at least in part on the details from

The new rules would also create a new subdivision of Division I schools that would be allowed to create its own set of rules for recruiting, transfers, roster size and a wide range of other policies. To be a part of that subdivision, each school would have to put millions of dollars each year into a trust fund for athletes.

and if Stanford started marketing using Reese Witherspoon I would imagine that while she might not be an employee she'd have some sort of contract in place and be a contractor and get a form 1099, and at least where I work you can only be a contractor for I think 12 months then you are let go (you can return in I think three months) so the company is not at risk of having you be considered a full time employee