UCF Reportedly Asks Kicker Donald De La Haye to Stop Making YouTube Videos

Central Florida kicker Donald De La Haye posted a video on his YouTube channel Saturday saying the school said he has to choose between playing for the team and potentially making money off of his channel.

"I feel like they're making me pick between my passion in what I love to do, make videos and entertain, be creative, and my other passion, which is playing football," De La Haye said in a video titled "Quit College Sports or Quit YouTube."

Andrea Adelson of ESPN.com reported a different version of events, however, that said UCF did not give him an ultimatum. 

"UCF Athletics is committed to rules compliance. Our compliance staff strives to make sure our student-athletes are informed about all pertinent NCAA bylaws," UCF said in a statement. 

"Student-athletes attend regular educational meetings regarding NCAA eligibility. One of our goals is to help our student-athletes learn about the bylaws that govern intercollegiate athletics, in an effort to help them maintain their eligibility."

De La Haye has posted 41 videos, which have garnered more than two million total views and 54,000 subscribers. His subscriber number makes him eligible under YouTube's policy to make money off of his content, but that may put his eligibility at risk.

“It’s really tough. I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m not making money illegally," De La Haye said (h/t Nick Martin of Deadspin). "I’m not selling dope. I’m not kidnapping people or robbing people. I’m not selling my autographs for money. I’m not sitting here getting Nike checks and Nike deals and all these sponsorships. I’m literally filming stuff. I’m sitting here, editing things on my computer for hours and developing my own brand. I put in the work, and I’m not allowed to get any benefits from the work.

“Basically, I’m not allowed to make any money off my YouTube videos. I’m working hard, basically like a job, filming, editing, coming up with ideas, doing things of that sort. And I’m not allowed to make any money. If I do, bad things happen.”

De La Haye appeared in all 13 games last season for UCF, primarily being used on kickoffs. He has two years of eligibility remaining.