University of Oklahoma Athletics
Compliance Corner: June 2012
June 29, 2012 | Athletics
June 29, 2012
The NCAA Manual now consists of 426 pages full of rules and regulations creating numerous issues for Compliance offices to monitor. Add to that the external influence of the internet and the job gets more difficult every day. Twitter, Facebook, recruiting sites, fan message boards, daily blogs, rumor websites, EBAY, and the list grows daily. OU's Compliance Department is fortunate to be on the cutting edge as one of a very few NCAA schools that has an employee designated to monitor internet activity of student-athletes, coaches and commercial websites.
One area of internet activity that receives heightened scrutiny is sports memorabilia websites that profit from selling the autographs, photographs and other items related to Sooner student-athletes. The sale of a current student-athlete's name, image or likeness is prohibited by the NCAA and could jeopardize their eligibility. The Compliance Department takes the necessary action and sends out numerous cease and desist letters to websites and EBAY accounts each month to protect the eligibility status of our high-profile student-athletes.
NCAA Bylaw 12.5.2.2 - Use of a Student-Athlete's Name or Picture Without Knowledge or Permission.
If a student-athlete's name or picture appears on commercial items (e.g., T-shirts, sweatshirts, serving trays, playing cards, posters) or is used to promote a commercial product sold by an individual or agency without the student-athlete's knowledge or permission, the student-athlete (or the institution acting on behalf of the student-athlete) is required to take steps to stop such an activity in order to retain his or her eligibility for intercollegiate athletics. Such steps are not required in cases in which a student-athlete's photograph is sold by an individual or agency (e.g., private photographer, news agency) for private use.
As boosters of OU Athletics, you are prohibited from profiting from current student-athletes' images, likenesses or appearances. You can assist our office by notifying us when you find entities selling commercial items that include autographs, pictures or likenesses (Jones #12 Oklahoma Football jersey) of current student-athletes. Our office will take the appropriate action to ensure that our fans and student-athletes have the opportunity to enjoy the success of the all the hard work this off-season.
As always, your cooperation and understanding is essential to the success of our programs. We hope you find this information helpful, and as always, please contact the Athletics Compliance Department at (405) 325-7004 with any questions. We appreciate your support of OU Athletics and your help in ensuring we operate within NCAA rules and regulations.
Related Links: OU Compliance Online
