Baker: NCAA eyeing 'consumer protection system' in NIL age - ESPN

GLENDALE, Ariz. — NCAA president Charlie Baker said he's focused on creating a «consumer protection system» for collegiate athletes and their families so they can have a better understanding of name, image and likeness deals that are legitimate — and those that are fraudulent.

Baker, who spoke to reporters prior to the start of the national championship game Monday, said a multitude of athletes are basing NIL decisions on limited information about the legitimacy of the companies and sponsors courting them.

«One piece, which we've been working on for a while, is what we call a consumer protection package,» Baker said. «For the first time, some semblance of what the market looks like so that student-athletes and their families can have some idea about whether or not what somebody's promising them or telling them is actually legit. The second piece is to create almost like a Yelp or a Trip Advisor that will give student-athletes the ability to talk about third parties that do right by them and third parties that don't. I think it's unfortunate that for the most part that whole space is kind of anonymous and I think that puts, again, kids and families in a tough spot.»

Baker also said he's concerned about the impact of prop-betting on collegiate sports. He said he's spoken directly with athletes who are concerned about the growing impact of sports betting in the collegiate space.

«I think the prop-betting piece is enormously problematic for student-athletes and I've had a lot of them say that to me,» he said.

He also praised the growth of women's basketball following another record-breaking moment when more than 18.7 million people watched South Carolina's victory over Iowa in the national title game Sunday, and he called