Yeah. Of course the NCAA would say that still compromises amateur status. Why not allow players to sign licensing and endorsement deals, but every cent earned is put into a separate bank account that can't be withdrawn from until after the athlete leaves college.
I'm not even sure that is necessary. If an athlete is good enough to warrant someone wanting them for licensing, let them. Just like any student can do on the academic side. That's the ultimate "free market" excuse and likely absolves the school or NCAA from "holding the man down."
I think this is fair...I could also see there being some loophole that could be allowed like you can sign endorsement deals as long as they don't mention you as a football player or if the product is not related in some way to football even if it's *wink wink* acknowledging it...like Lebron in McDonalds commercials.
I think as long as the athlete does not state their school or conference or anything. Just like you see with NFL athletes with companies that do not license the NFL. "Hey, I'm Cam Newton, pro football player..." It could just as easily be "Hey, I'm Job Blow, college football player..."
NCAA, conference and schools can just say, "well we're not holding these students down. The market bears their worth through licensing opportunities. Us providing full educational expenses plus certain stipends is all we promised!"
Instead of them being charged with preventing students from earning money or opportunities the market think they are worth. And now ending up with lawsuits everywhere.
Edit: On rugby, I think UCF is a club team still. I doubt they will ever get into the NCAA ranks due to funding issues and having to then add more womens sports. They are damn good, though.
