Fiona Crawley, a 21-year-old from Texas, United States, was making her Grand Slam debut at this 2023 US Open. Despite the joy of reaching the main draw at the best moment of your career so far, Fiona looked forced to reject the economic prize to continue in the NCAA.
To gain a place in the main draw of the New York Grand Slam, the American had to beat Reka-Luca Jani, Timea Babos and Kim Birrel in the previous phase, all her rivals being from a higher ranking in the WTA Ranking. In addition to leaving with the positive experience of having gone so far at the 2023 US Open, Fiona Crawley leaves a complaint that opens an interesting debate:
A STANDARD WITH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
“I would never accept money putting my eligibility at risk, but I’ve worked my ass off this week and it’s hard to believe that there are football and basketball players making millions in NIL deals, and I can’t accept the money I’ve worked so hard for”, explains Fiona Crawley in an interview with TheNews&Observer.
The NCAA rule is based on a very clear argument: “Players cannot be paid to play”. The norm seeks to safeguard the amateur status in the sport, something totally understandable so that no one takes advantage of the aid granted by the association itself. The doubt comes in situations like Fiona’s, in which there is no way for him to take that money that he has earned without losing her position in the NCAA. However, Fiona’s complaint is based on the gains they can have with the NIL agreements or through what they call ‘boosters‘, income allowed for NCAA players.
Starting from this premise, the debate arises as to whether this rule should be reviewed with the aim of benefiting players who go far in a large tournament in a timely manner. One of the options proposed is to create a bank account so that the tennis player can enjoy the money she earns playing while she is in the NCAA once she turns professional so that the fund does not go to waste. It is a subject with many edges and conditions to which a case like Fiona’s can help to see another point of view.
2023-08-31 17:26:38
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