Notre Dame releases statement on NCAA decision allowing athlete compensation

NOTRE DAME, Ind.—The University of Notre Dame on Tuesday released a statement in reaction to a decision made by the NCAA to allow athletes to profit from their names, images, and likenesses.

The NCAA board voted on the decision on Tuesday at a meeting at Emory University in Atlanta.

A spokesperson for the University of Notre Dame released the following statement about the NCAA’s decision:

"Notre Dame President Father John Jenkins has long supported the idea that student-athletes should be able to monetize their popularity, as long as abuse is prevented and their character as students -- not professional athletes -- is preserved. In 2015, the New York Times reported that 'Father Jenkins, a passionate defender of his alma mater, has considered the arguments. He agrees that the NCAA is struggling to find its role on a changed playing field. And, in what may come as a surprise, he suggests that student-athletes should be able to monetize their fame, with limits.'"

Read more about the NCAA's decision here

The video above includes the interview with men's basketball head coach, Mike Brey, who said the decision was always coming and that he is open to the idea, because fair is fair. However, he wants to make sure that guidelines are made to protect both the players and the universities.

However, women's basketball head coach, Muffett McGraw, says she is a bit skeptical on how the changes may affect women. In an interview from a month ago, she says that women in sports may be unintentionally overlooked.

Contributions to this story also made by: Summer Horan