Although NCAA legislation specifically defines and categorizes different types of impermissible benefits (e.g., extra benefits and preferential treatment), the prohibition is generally the same: under most circumstances, student-athletes cannot receive goods or services based on their status as student-athletes.
The following are examples of benefits that student-athletes are not permitted to receive:
- Cash and cost-free goods and services;
- Special discounts, payment arrangements, or credit options for products or services if the same is not available to all ASU students;
- Preferential treatment, benefits, or services based on a student-athlete’s athletics reputation, skill, or pay-back potential as a future professional athlete;
- Payment for work not performed or at unreasonable levels; and
- The purchase of items or services from student-athletes or their relatives at inflated prices.
Student-athletes who receive such benefits jeopardize their eligibility to compete in intercollegiate athletics.