NCAA No Longer Sells Jerseys
I'm not sure the minimum wage is fair but that is something different, sort of. Yesterday the NCAA decided it would no long sell jerseys of famous college football players. I don't think they did this for any other reason than that they were in an awkward place.
Why would they be able to mess with a Heisman Trophy winner who was trying to make a buck selling his signature on a jersey that could have been obtained from NCAA website. In exchange for a scholarship, why should a player be required to sign away his rights to almost everything to the college giving him a scholarship in the name of faux amateurism.
The players know they are being exploited to a greater or lesser extent to provide entertainment for alumni and programming for TV, radio, Internet, gamblers, and everyone else that watches their games. The scholarship does not always lead to a degree or a job. It might lead to serious injuries and other problems related to not being able to handle success at a young age.
The crass answer to all these issues is first and foremost from the colleges, once you pay one student athlete, where will it stop? Not many student athletes generate revenue to pay the cost of their sports and when you factor in Title IX which requires money being spent on women's sports programs the conversation about the issue can degenerate quickly. The system that is college athletics needs a serious review. If there was ever something that cried out for a leveling of the playing field it is the NCAA.
Maybe you shouldn't be allowed to win the Heisman Trophy until you can legally benefit from all the licensing deals related to that juggernaut.
There are definite process issues in play these days. I am having a difficult time think of any institution that isn't in need of a makeover to be more responsive and functional and serves the public interest.
Why would they be able to mess with a Heisman Trophy winner who was trying to make a buck selling his signature on a jersey that could have been obtained from NCAA website. In exchange for a scholarship, why should a player be required to sign away his rights to almost everything to the college giving him a scholarship in the name of faux amateurism.
The players know they are being exploited to a greater or lesser extent to provide entertainment for alumni and programming for TV, radio, Internet, gamblers, and everyone else that watches their games. The scholarship does not always lead to a degree or a job. It might lead to serious injuries and other problems related to not being able to handle success at a young age.
The crass answer to all these issues is first and foremost from the colleges, once you pay one student athlete, where will it stop? Not many student athletes generate revenue to pay the cost of their sports and when you factor in Title IX which requires money being spent on women's sports programs the conversation about the issue can degenerate quickly. The system that is college athletics needs a serious review. If there was ever something that cried out for a leveling of the playing field it is the NCAA.
Maybe you shouldn't be allowed to win the Heisman Trophy until you can legally benefit from all the licensing deals related to that juggernaut.
There are definite process issues in play these days. I am having a difficult time think of any institution that isn't in need of a makeover to be more responsive and functional and serves the public interest.
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