FanNation - The Republic of Sport

cj, this is a great subject for a thread. Lately the "SEC Stole My Milk Money" and "Which Team I Hate" and "My Tin Foil Hat is Glowing" threads seem to be getting all the action.

We have on these boards some excellent and smart posters who I believe can shed a better light on this subject than myself but I will give it a shot.

1. It's true that some of the NCAA football and basketball programs generate huge amounts of revenue, with TV contracts probably far and alone the biggest provider.

2. In a way, these student/athletes are being generously compensated with a free education. Compared to the average student struggling with loans, grants and part time jobs, these scholarship holders are living large.

3. If one athlete gets extra stipends, should not all of them? And if the star football RB gets a car should not the ladies volleyball team also be given cars? In the FBS alone there are more than 10,000 players, multiply that several times over for all the other divisions and programs in the NCAA and you are looking at maybe 50,000 or more participants. That's quite a pay roll.

4. Maybe the biggest reason these 'gifts' are frowned upon by the NCAA is the potential for bribes. Corruption and greed will almost always be an influence in college sports on some level.

Excellent 3rd and 4th points, Norka.

Norka I agree wholeheartedly with your point #2 "....these student/athletes are being generously compensated with a free education. Compared to the average student struggling with loans, grants and part time jobs, these scholarship holders are living large."

I've spent over six figures putting my wife and daughter through college and next year my youngest son will start. I know firsthand the cost and value of a college education. People who dismiss the free education benefit are just ignorant as are the folks who claim we should just pay the players based on the alleged "revenue" they help generate. We're already paying them.

The same applies to academic scholars. One of the reasons they're recruited is help to maintain the flow of state and federal research money (revenue) to the university. We're paying them with a free education and, yes, they help generate revenue just like the jocks. The only difference is....if an academic scholar doesn't cut it he's out of there as opposed to a jock who gets his whether he's worth a **** on the field or not.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 11:29 AM ET  11.13 by Dr. B-f-G

People who dismiss the free education benefit are just ignorant as are the folks who claim we should just pay the players based on the alleged "revenue" they help generate. We're already paying them.

Absolutely. Plus, these athletes in basketball and football, who hope to make millions of dollars in the NFL and NBA, are getting huge exposure on a national stage to launch their professional careers. They don't need agents to create notoriety for them - they've got conference games, rivalry games, bowl games and the NCAA tournament. Contrast the basketball and football process with the long road through the minor leagues for baseball and hockey players.

Players like Dez Bryant get sanctioned because college athletes must be amateurs. Payments of money or goods compromise amateur status, agent contact loses a player amateur status, and lying about it blatantly can bring a harsh penalty.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 10:34 AM ET  11.13 by norka

cj, this is a great subject for a thread. Lately the "SEC Stole My Milk Money" and "Which Team I Hate" and "My Tin Foil Hat is Glowing" threads seem to be getting all the action. We have on these boards some excellent and smart posters who I believe can shed a better light on this subject than myself but I will give it a shot.1. It's true that some of the NCAA football and basketball programs generate huge amounts of revenue, with TV contracts probably far and alone the biggest provider.2. In a way, these student/athletes are being generously compensated with a free education. Compared to the average student struggling with loans, grants and part time jobs, these scholarship holders are living large.3. If one athlete gets extra stipends, should not all of them? And if the star football RB gets a car should not the ladies volleyball team also be given cars? In the FBS alone there are more than 10,000 players, multiply that several times over for all the other divisions and programs in the NCAA and you are looking at maybe 50,000 or more participants. That's quite a pay roll.4. Maybe the biggest reason these 'gifts' are frowned upon by the NCAA is the potential for bribes. Corruption and greed will almost always be an influence in college sports on some level.

Nice summary Norka.


Choice
It is not as if anyone is holding a gun to the heads of these athletes to prevent them from moving onto the next level. The closest might be football - an NFL rule, not NCAA, and not the only next step available. Like the other students, they are in college to develop their skills.


6 Figure Compensation?
To the substantial value of an athletic scholarship, you can add the value of the training and development - what would be the cost per player of a large football program if you looked at the expenses minus game and stadium costs? Add in some other allowed perks, medical, etc.

An NCAAF football player from a major program may average near 6 figures in benefits - pretty good for amateur athletics.

Brilliantly stated, gentlemen. Can someone save this thread for posterity?

I already have pretty good posture.