NCAA President Comments on Davis’ Eligibility

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NCAA President Mark Emmert says Little League star Mo'Ne Davis can collect endorsement money without giving up her college eligibility because she is likely to play a different sport in college.

In an interview Monday with The Associated Press, Emmert compared the decision to rules that have allowed previous athletes such as Danny Ainge to play minor-league baseball and still maintain eligibility in another sport like basketball.

Ten years ago, the NCAA said Olympic skier Jeremy Bloom couldn't play college football because he accepted endorsement money as a professional skier. In January, NCAA schools loosened the restrictions to better accommodate multi-sport athletes on a case-by-case basis.

Emmert says with more flexibility, the NCAA determined Davis was unlikely to play college baseball and was granted a waiver.