Isaiah Livers is a senior for the Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team. While he’s currently sidelined with a foot injury, he still made a major impact on the court in the team’s win over Texas Southern on Saturday.
It wasn’t by coaching from the bench. It wasn’t through moral support.
No. The impact came from his shirt of choice.
“#NotNCAAProperty”.
As players and their supporters apply pressure on the NCAA to lift their restrictions against player compensation, Livers turned up the heat and let them know change is coming.
“It’s time we student-athletes deserve the chance to create our own money from name, image and likeness,” said Livers in his Tweet.
Livers is one of the growing number of student-athletes across the country challenging a system designed to limit their power. And despite the critics who claim that they’re getting free tuition, room and board, and food so they should “shut up and dribble”, these athletes remain steadfast and unapologetic in their fight for compensation.
“We’re doing this for future athletes, we’re doing this for our future kids,” said Livers in a NY Times story, noting it was “time for student-athletes to speak up, no more being silenced.”
Another athlete who joined the fight is Rutgers senior Arella Guirantes, a leader on the women’s basketball team.
“I don’t think anybody wants to risk boycotting any games,” said Guirantes in that NY Times story. “I think it’s just about putting pressure on people who are involved with making decisions. This is not something we’re going to be quiet about. We’re going to put the pressure on the people to do what we feel is right.”
While boycotting games might not happen, the players definitely plan to use their power and influence to continue the momentum against the NCAA system.
“I can see some delays [of games]” said Livers to the Times. “I can see a lot of that — there’s definitely plans ahead. I don’t want to break the news, but we’re going to use our voices, our actions.”
The NCAA better get ready. Change is coming.
