UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham shared his thoughts on Thursday about the NCAA’s decision to allow athletes across all three divisions to monetize and profit from their name, image and likeness.

The NCAA announced the interim policy on Wednesday, the day before laws in more than ten states were set to go into effect relating to the same issue. Nine states saw legislatures pass such law, while Kentucky and Ohio saw the measures put in place through executive orders.

By making this decision, the NCAA prevented athletes in those states — including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oregon and Texas — from having an unfair advantage over those in other areas.

Cunningham issued a statement on Twitter, acknowledging how UNC will approach the new landscape.

“As college athletics begins a new era today, at least one thing will not change,” Cunningham said. “At Carolina, we will continue to work each day to provide our student-athletes an outstanding experience in the classroom and in competition — while also making every effort to help Tar Heels participate in NIL opportunities.

“Thank you to to all of our staff members and partners who have worked diligently to put our LAUNCH Educational Programming and our NIL guidelines in place,” he added. “And to our Tar Heel student-athletes for your feedback as we navigate this new process. There will be questions to to work through. And we will do so, together.”

In mid-June, UNC revealed the introduction of its LAUNCH program — which aims to help student-athletes with their personal branding and NIL opportunities. A group of former UNC athletes also joined together with the university in April to launch a program with The Brandr Group, which will allow them to profit from their marketability with the use of UNC licensed items.

The NCAA’s ruling means that Tar Heel athletes will no longer have to wait on North Carolina to pass its own state laws on the issue, before taking advantage.

North Carolina introduced a bill back in May, which would officially take effect on July 1, 2023 if it makes it through the General Assembly.

 

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