Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesThe NCAA took a major step Tuesday toward allowing college athletes to cash in on their fame, voting to permit them to "benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness.''
Board chair Michael Drake, the president of Ohio State University, said the NCAA must embrace change and modernize "to provide the best possible experience for college athletes.''
"California has made it clear that we won't accept any arbitrary limitations on college athletes' right to their name, image, and likeness,'' state Sen. Nancy Skinner, who co-sponsored the bill, posted in Twitter.
NCAA rules allow for an athletic scholarship that covers tuition, room and board, books and a cost-of-attendance stipend.
"But the ultimate question is how are the rules modified to both allow college athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness while also being consistent with the collegiate model,'' Feldman said.