NCAA clears way for college athletes to be compensated as state laws loom

• NCAA clears athletes to pursue name, image and likeness deals
• Decision effectively suspends restrictions on compensation

The NCAA's board of directors approved one of the biggest changes in the history of college athletics Wednesday, clearing the way for nearly a half-million athletes to start earning money based on their fame and celebrity without fear of endangering their eligibility or putting their school in jeopardy of violating amateurism rules that have stood for decades.

The decision, expected for months as state after state passed laws intended to render NCAA rules moot on the topic, came on the eve of the market opening Thursday for athletes in a dozen states, including giants like Texas and Florida.