Division 1 scholarship college athletes are unable to earn money while participating in amateur athletics. However, there are also rules in place that prevent players from turning professional when they so, please>.
This brings up the discussion of whether or not it is fair to athletes that the NCAA prevents college athletes from turning pro to earn money, as they also can’t profit while still in school. The place to start in this conversation is what athletes need to do in order to be eligible for professional leagues – it differs from sport to sport.
Baseball: Athletes can be drafted directly from high school. However, if they choose to go to college, they can’t go pro until after their junior year.
Football: High school football players can not turn professional. All athletes must be removed from high school for at least three years.
Basketball: Athletes cannot be drafted directly from high school. Players must be at least one year removed from high school and be 19 years or older. This means they can either play a year professional overseas or go to college for at least one year.
It wasn’t always this way though – at least in basketball. In the past, high school players weren’t required to go to college. For example, LeBron James was drafted directly from St. Vincent-St. Mary’s in 2003.
There is a chance these rules will be changed in the future for college athletes, but what can college athletes do to protect themselves in the meantime? One of the best options is to secure an insurance policy. Athletes should seek the assistance of a sports attorney to ensure the policy meets their needs. Before this college football season, Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater took out a $10 million insurance policy to protect against injury and future lost earnings.
Supreme Court and Title VII: Implications for Reverse Discrimination
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services vitiating the so-called “background circumstances” test required by half of federal circuit courts.1 The background circumstances test required majority group plaintiffs pleading discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to meet a heightened pleading standard […]
Special purpose acquisition companies (better known as SPACs) appear to be making a comeback. SPAC offerings for 2025 have already nearly surpassed last year’s totals, with additional transactions in the pipeline. SPACs last experienced a boom between 2020–2021, with approximately 600 U.S. companies raising a record $163 billion in 2021. Notable companies that went public […]
Short Form Merger: Streamlining the Process for Businesses
Merging two companies is a complex legal and business transaction. A short form merger, in which an acquiring company merges with a subsidiary corporation, offers a more streamlined process that involves important corporate governance considerations. A short form merger, in which an acquiring company merges with a subsidiary corporation, offers a more streamlined process. However, […]
Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress
The Trump Administration’s new tariffs are having an oversized impact on small businesses, which already tend to operate on razor thin margins. Many businesses have been forced to raise prices, find new suppliers, lay off staff, and delay growth plans. For businesses facing even more dire financial circumstances, there are additional tariff response options, including […]
Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them
Business partnerships, much like marriages, function exceptionally well when partners are aligned but can become challenging when disagreements arise. Partnership disputes often stem from conflicts over business strategy, financial management, and unclear role definitions among partners. Understanding Business Partnership Conflicts Partnership conflicts place significant stress on businesses, making proactive measures essential. Partnerships should establish detailed […]
Businesses Are Facing Financial Headwinds—A Practical Guide
*** The original article was featured on Bloomberg Tax, April 28, 2025 — As a tax attorney who spends much of my time helping people and companies who have large, unresolved issues with the IRS or one or more state tax departments, it often occurs to me that the best service that I can provide […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
