Mo'ne Davis made her paid television commercial debut during Game 1 of the World Series Tuesday night but, according to an ESPNW Report, the corporate promotion will not impact her amateur status.
The 13-year-old Davis — who became a media darling at the 2014 Little League World Series — was able to skirt the rules and make the Spike Lee-directed commercial, titled 'Throw Like a Girl,' without any NCAA repercussions because she is still in eighth grade. Once she goes into ninth grade, according to the NCAA rulebook, she would be subject to NCAA amateur rules.
In January, the NCAA Division I membership provided more flexibility on eligibility standards.
In January, the NCAA Division I membership provided more flexibility on eligibility standards.
"Mo'ne Davis may be paid for appearing in the Chevy commercial without impacting her NCAA eligibility," NCAA spokeswoman Emily James said in a statement.
"The NCAA staff's decision was made within this process and based on a combination of considerations," James said in the statement. "This waiver narrowly extends the rules — which allow Davis to accept the payment and still be eligible in any other sport — to include baseball. The NCAA staff also considered the historically limited opportunities for women to participate in professional baseball. In addition, Davis is much younger than when the vast majority of the prospect rules apply. While this situation is unusual, the flexible approach utilized in this decision is not."
All of Davis’ money will go into a trust fund, said Lee on the Mike Francesa Show. Davis had to capitalize on her instant fame before the NCAA amateur rules affected her status, he added.
Davis, also a standout soccer and basketball player, even received a call from Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma, congratulating her on her success, which turned out to be a minor violation for the Huskies.
Somewhere, a frustrated Todd Gurley is ripping up a lot of autographed Georgia Bulldogs jerseys.
Once again! Lets change (skirt) the rules for a minority! Riot and rebuild it for them! Squeeky wheel gets the grease! Double up freebies (don't change last name). Pay to keep quiet.Eh!!
ReplyDeleteEvery player and coach who has been sanctioned by the NCAA should take to the twitter sphere to rant against the fascist who run the NCAA. There has never been a more concerted effort to steal from young athletes than the NCAA. Everything they do only enriches themselves at the expense of student athletes. They are a parasitic organization whose time needs to come to a speedy end.
ReplyDelete