Coach K on California image rights law: "We need to play catch up to what we should have been doing decades ago"

Krzyzewski calls it "a complex issue" that needs planning and big picture leadership

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was asked about California law SB-206, which states that California schools are required to compensate athletes for use of their name, likeness, and image (NLI). The law was signed by the governor at the end of September.

“I’m glad it happened,” Krzyzewski said. “I’m going to have a statement put out at the end of this where I try to explain exactly what I’m thinking. I may not express things well right now. I hope I do.”

“This is a complex issue,” he continued. “There’s not a single answer. The fact that people are talking about it and taking action with a bill—you know, by the time it’s implemented—I bet by the time the seas’n's over—you’re going to see dozens of states passing this legislation. It’s really a sign that we probably have not adapted over the last through decades in a logical progression, like we have in amateur sports, like the Olympic Model.”

Krzyzewski didn’t want to just address the specific rights mentioned in the California bill. He thought the entire college model needed to be reviewed. “This needs to be looked at as a total package of what’s right for the student,” he said. “How it compares to students who don’t play basketball and their rights. We need to look at that as a whole issue, not just image and likeness. What’s best for these kids? We need to stay current. I’m glad it was passed, because it pushes the envelope. It pushes the issue. But I don’t want to answer just for that. Let’s look at all the things that need to be done. Will we do them? How will we do them? I don’t have the answer. I’d like to have people get together over time and play catch up to what we should have been doing decades ago.”