It's time to change the rules of the game!  

[ [link removed] ][IMG]

Demand that your Congressmembers guarantee fair pay for student-athletes
in every state! 

[ [link removed] ]Take Action

 
John,

The NCAA continues to criminalize Black student-athletes for not having
money. Last year, Chase Young, a star defensive football player for the
Ohio Buckeyes, sought after his dream of having his family see him play in
one of the biggest football events of the year, The Rosebowl. He had to
borrow money from a family friend to pay for airfare for his family to
travel for the game, and he paid the family friend back. But the NCAA put
Young under investigation, and suspended him two games, forcing him to sit
out of games that jeopardized his chances of winning the Heisman trophy.^1

In Memphis, the NCAA is sabotaging basketball star, James Wiseman, for the
financial support that his family was given, without his knowledge, when
he was in high school. Wiseman’s then high school coach, Penny Hardaway
helped pay for him and his family to relocate to a better high
school.^2 But because of this, the NCAA started an investigation and is
blocking him from playing.^3

The Investigations of Chase Young and James Wiseman demonstrate that the
NCAA cannot be trusted to manage the finances of Black student-athletes.
This is why we need Congressional oversight on fair pay for Black
student-athletes.

[ [link removed] ]Demand that Congress institute legislation to end the exploitation of
Black student-athletes across the country!

The dollar amount of Chase Young’s airfare and James Wiseman’s family
support is miniscule when compared to the billions NCAA will make off of
these athletes this season. The NCAA signed a TV deal with CBS Sports and
Turner Broadcasting to air its March Madness tournament that will make
them a billion dollars a year.^4 Yet NCAA is criminalizing Chase Young and
James Wiseman over thousand-dollar transactions meant to help their
families.

The NCAA recently succumbed to national pressure to allow athletes to earn
money from the use of their names, images, and likenesses. But because
this is the NCAA, we know there will be arbitrary limitations for how and
when players can earn and spend their own money. The scrutiny over
student-athlete finances will only increase as the players are exposed to
more economic opportunity, as seen in the cases of James Wiseman and Chase
Young. We can’t leave it up to the NCAA to create fair rules for
student-athletes.

Color Of Change members fought and won fair pay for our student-athletes
in California. Now, we must make sure we do the same for student-athletes
around the nation. Federal legislation must be created to limit the
authority of the NCAA in determining economic opportunities for Black
student-athletes. Several members of Congress are already on board to end
NCAA’s dictatorship.

[ [link removed] ]Demand federal legislation to protect them from NCAA’s exploitation!

Until justice is real,

Jade, Rashad, Arisha, Johnny, Evan, Future, Amanda, Eesha, Samantha,
Marcus, FolaSade and the rest of the Color of Change team

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References:
 1. “Ohio State star Chase Young will miss Maryland game 'due to possible
NCAA issue',” Yahoo Sports, November 8, 2019,
[link removed]
 2. “Top NBA draft prospect James Wiseman allowed to play by court after
being ruled ineligible by NCAA,” Yahoo Sports, November 8, 2019,
[link removed]
 3. “Memphis declares James Wiseman ineligible to play after he drops
lawsuit vs. NCAA,” ESPN.com, November 14, 2019,
[link removed]
 4. “The NCAA's new March Madness TV deal will make them a billion dollars
a year,” SB Nation, April 12, 2016,
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[ [link removed] ]Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. [ [link removed] ]Help
keep our movement strong.

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