The NCAA is blocking Oklahoma State from putting QR codes on players’ helmets so fans can donate to the school’s official collective, the organization announced Saturday. The NCAA ruled the markers are unpermitted “advertising or commercial marks,” the school said in a statement.
Cowboys athletic director Chad Weiberg said the school disagreed with the decision but would comply and not use the codes on helmets. They will be posted throughout the stadium and are on players’ personal bags during the team walk through fans to the stadium. They’ll also be placed on coasters in stadium suites.
“Our people came up with an innovative concept to raise the NIL value of our student-athletes, but ultimately, it just serves as the latest example of how college sports are evolving at a faster pace than the rule book,” Weiberg said.
OSU said it consulted with the Big 12 office and its compliance staff to make sure using the codes on helmets would be permissible.
“I look forward to partnering with the NCAA and my fellow conference commissioners in an effort to modernize legislation that enables our schools to drive value for our student-athletes,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said.
The move, announced earlier this month, had drawn praise from some and criticism from others inside the sport, including LSU coach Brian Kelly.
“Putting a QR code on your helmet just doesn’t feel collegiate to me,” he said this month.
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