NCAA Responds to Inaccurate Statements Regarding the Gridiron Bash Concerts

Sunday, March 30, 2008, INDIANAPOLIS---Recent public statements made by MSL Sports Entertainment regarding the postponement of the Gridiron Bash, a commercial event originally planned in conjunction with Division I spring football games, are inaccurate. MSL Sports Entertainment, the organizers of the event, elected to postpone the concerts on their own accord, and not under the direction of the NCAA. We never expressed any concern with the actual event being conducted as scheduled, but only with the participation of student-athletes as part of the for-profit event.

NCAA rules do not allow student-athletes to participate in any promotional activities or appearances for a commercial venture. NCAA rules also do not allow student-athletes to receive free or reduced benefits, such as free concert tickets, that are not generally available to the student body. These rules are in place to maintain amateur status of student-athletes.

According to our discussions with MSL Sports and Entertainment, the company wanted to use the appearances of football student-athletes as part of the event. In addition, the organizers did not want to require the student-athletes to pay admission to the event.

While it has been stated that the organizers have been planning this event for a year and a half, they did not contact the NCAA to ensure compliance until last week. During our discussions with MSL Sports Entertainment, we clearly outlined how they could hold the event within NCAA rules; however, they chose to not continue with the project.

Source: NCAA