On Wednesday, the NCAA sent out a memo that indicated they would propose new legislation related to NIL regarding photoshoots for recruits on unofficial visits, presumably in response to some recent moves from Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes.
The memo read, in part, "introduced legislation...to prohibit, during a football prospective student-athletes unofficial visits, institutional involvement in arranging photographs or photographing the prospective student-athlete and those accompanying the prospective student-athlete."
The NCAA is also tackling the important stuff: Getting rid of photoshoots for recruits!! pic.twitter.com/AxFyR2aOxn
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) October 4, 2023
I've been told this would not prohibit a mom from taking a photo on their phone of her son on his visit, of course. It's just, like, banning the use of professional photographers and coordinated photoshoots.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) October 4, 2023
In all seriousness, a lot of administrators and coaches have complained about photoshoots and the effort they require from staff. Plus, should that really be an important part of the recruiting process?
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) October 4, 2023
"In all seriousness, a lot of administrators and coaches have complained about photoshoots and the effort they require from staff. Plus, should that really be an important part of the recruiting process?" said Nicole Auerbach, a writer for The Athletic.
The rule wouldn't prohibit parents from taking their own pictures but would prevent the school from hiring a professional photographer for a school-sponsored event.
This came shortly after Deion Sanders, the head coach for the Colorado Buffaloes, used Louis Vuitton and Lamborghinis during photoshoots with recruits.
What are your thoughts on Deion Sanders and Colorado using Lamborghinis and Louis Vuitton bags to recruit football players? pic.twitter.com/BgdWevKShq
— Adam Carriker (@AdamCarriker94) December 19, 2022
The pictures were a hit online, enticing players to head to Boulder to be part of it. These photo opportunities are still allowed, but only on official visits.
This is something that most schools will do as it helps with marketing, but of course, Coach Prime took it to a whole new level, which is something we're seeing with him at Colorado, including this and his transfer portal practices.
Users online didn't understand the point of this potentially proposed legislation.
Why? Kids love this part of recruiting....
— Reidsville Football (@FBCapitolOfNC) October 5, 2023
Does that mean we?ll be denied this??? pic.twitter.com/lprYeTwPy4
— Mayhem_SoB (@mrmayhem75) October 4, 2023
The NCAA does its best work when they make rules limiting the most harmless stuff.
— d a v e ???? ???? ??? (@adavgib) October 4, 2023
Now, we wait to see when or if the NCAA follows through with this and what the results will be.
