Oklahoma State players will no longer have QR codes on their helmets starting in 2024.
The Cowboys announced earlier this month that each player would have a code on their helmet that fans could scan while watching the game. The link would have taken people to a donation page for the school’s NIL fund, where fans could donate money that would be used to pay players for their image rights.
The NCAA, however, wasn’t so enthusiastic about the idea. Just before its season opener against South Dakota State on Saturday, Oklahoma State said the NCAA was banning the school from placing the QR codes on its helmets. The school said in its statement that it interpreted the QR codes as “institutional decals that are permitted under NCAA bylaws,” while the NCAA said the decals were “advertising and/or commercial branding.” Those are not allowed.
“We disagree with the interpretation of the rule, but we will adhere to it and work with the appropriate groups to bring about the necessary change,” Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg said in a statement. “Our staff came up with an innovative concept to increase the NIL value of our student-athletes, but ultimately it is just the latest example of how college sports is evolving faster than the rulebook.”
It’s hard to disagree with Weiberg’s last sentence. The NCAA has been playing catch-up ever since it opened the floodgates without much foresight to allow players to receive long-awaited revenue for their name and image rights. The NCAA’s lack of planning has left schools navigating an unfamiliar landscape without much direction. And it’s also left the NCAA begging Congress for federal legislation to help govern college athletics.
Oklahoma State also said it consulted with the Big 12 before unveiling the QR codes. Saturday’s statement also included a comment from Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark.
“As we enter this new era of college athletics, the Big 12 Conference welcomes the opportunity to lead the way in innovation and creativity,” Yormark said. “I look forward to working with the NCAA and my fellow conference commissioners in an effort to modernize legislation that enables our schools to create value for our student-athletes.”
