NCAA legislation specifically defines and categorizes different types of impermissible benefits (e.g., extra benefits, recruiting inducements, and preferential treatment). Regardless of the type of impermissible benefit, however, the prohibition is generally the same: under most circumstances, prospective and enrolled student-athletes (along with their friends and families) cannot receive goods or services based on their status as athletes. The following are categories of benefits that NCAA legislation prohibits boosters and other athletics stakeholders from providing:
- Cash and cost-free goods and services;
- Special discounts, payment arrangements, or credit options for products or services if the same are 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.
Prospective and enrolled student-athletes who receive such benefits jeopardize their eligibility to compete in intercollegiate athletics. Additionally, ASU may face institutional penalties if an ASU booster provides impermissible benefits to prospective or enrolled student-athletes.
Boosters who provide impermissible benefits to prospective student-athletes or student-athletes may be subject to disciplinary measures such as loss of booster benefits or dissociation from ASU.
Click here for more specific information regarding what boosters can do and click here for information on what they cannot do.