CHARLOTTE — University of North Carolina athletes in all ticketed sports, including football and men’s basketball, were sent a text message Tuesday to remind them that selling their complimentary tickets to games could impact their eligibility and violate NCAA rules.
WRAL reported Monday that, according to sources, some football players have been selling their tickets. A copy of the message about the tickets was shared with WRAL.
“This is a friendly reminder that you are NOT to sell or exchange your complimentary tickets for any item of value,” the message from UNC’s athletics compliance office read. “You may give the tickets to anyone you choose without receiving anything in return. Although some NCAA rules have recently changed, this rule has not. Selling your tickets or receiving an extra benefit still impacts your eligibility to compete in intercollegiate athletics.”
North Carolina is in its first season under head coach Bill Belichick, an NFL coaching legend who had never previously coached in college football. The school hired Belichick, 73, in December, hoping to catapult its football program into national prominence. General manager Michael Lombardi last worked in college football in 1984, when he served as recruiting coordinator at UNLV.
The Tar Heels are 2-3 and have been outscored 120-33 in their three losses, all against power conference schools. WRAL reported Monday that some players and parents have blamed Belichick’s culture for the team’s problems, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the inner workings of the football program.
NCAA rules allow schools to give players four complimentary tickets to home or away games in their sport and six tickets to postseason events. The tickets can’t be sold by the player or by the person the player gives the ticket to.
The compliance office often sends athletes messages about different issues.
UNC sponsors 28 sports. Tickets are required to attend games or matches in football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, gymnastics and wrestling.
In 2021, the NCAA allowed athletes to be compensated for the use of their name, image and likeness, which was previously barred. On July 1, the NCAA allowed schools to directly share up to $20.5 million with athletes. Of that total, North Carolina is giving $13 million to football — which aligns with the percentage of athletics department revenue that is generated by the sport. UNC is sharing money with athletes in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball.