NCAA's "Cecil Newton Rule" Closes A Loophole That Should Have Been Closed 50 Years Ago

Did you know there was a big Cam Newton scandal? It's true! People were getting all mad about it and everything! I know we've all got short memories, and Newton's better known for being Tim Tebow, but black and good, but it was just 14 short months ago that the NCAA was rocked by reports that Newton's father requested cash from Mississippi State for Newton's committal. Quaint, yes, in these college football days of stripper abortions and kiddie rape, but it was a really big deal at the time. I swear.

The NCAA loves to cling to its whimsical little principle of amateurism, so evidence that Cecil Newton sought money from MSU—and slightly less evidence that he received it from Auburn—was bad. But not illegal! That's changed. The NCAA's Legislative Council approved a few new rules at their annual meeting, chief among them what's being called the Cecil Newton rule, which bars family members of athletes from financially gaining from their offspring's unique talents.

The actual rule qualifies "family members, certified contract advisors, financial advisors, marketing representatives, brand managers or anyone who is employed by or associated with such individuals" as agents, which is great. Also great ("great" in the sarcastic sense of "horrifying"): family members, contract advisors, financial advisors, marketing representatives and brand managers had never been legislated before. How long have we been doing this college sports thing? Like, more than a century? And we're only now putting down in writing that hangers-on can't profit from student-athletes? That's not being proactive. That's not even being reactive. That's barely being active at all.

But yeah, next time a sexy recruit wants to take money from boosters, he should just do it himself. It's easier to keep things quiet without middle men.