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LeBron James is not happy with the NCAA. The NCAA passed a new rule change that requires agents to have a bachelor’s degree in order to represent student-athletes who wish to maintain their eligibility ahead of the NBA Draft.
According to the NCAA, agents must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree;
- Have been NBPA certified for at least three consecutive years and be in good-standing;
- Maintain professional liability insurance.
That has led to LeBron dubbing the new rule the “Rich Paul Rule.”
Rich Paul is LeBron’s longtime friend and agent. Paul, the founder of Klutch Sports, represents LeBron, Anthony Davis, and a number of other big-name NBA stars. Because of Paul, there has been a shift in dynamics that brings power to the players, who have been more open about demanding trades to land at their preferred destinations.
Because Paul does not have a bachelor’s degree, he would be barred from representing NCAA student-athletes which limits them from having one of the most powerful agents in the sport.
So, of course, LeBron came to his friend’s defense.
“Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop!” James wrote on Twitter. “They BIG MAD and Scared. Nothing will stop this movement and culture over here. Sorry! Not sorry.”
Another person to come to Paul’s defense was comedian Kevin Hart.
“The world is so afraid of ground breakers,” he wrote. “This is beyond sad & major B.S…..Keep shining @RichPaul4 ….This only makes you stronger….what you have built is unbelievable champ…. #TheRichPaulRule ….Shame on you NCAA.”
We will have to see whether the NCAA sticks with the rule or if they fold to the pressure. Judging by some of their other questionable rules, the Rich Paul Rule may be here to stay for the foreseeable future.
It will also be interesting to see how this impacts players’ decisions to explore the NBA Draft waters.
