Recent Comments

hokieViRUS's picture hokieViRUS | 12 years 11 months # | Bitter blog - Position battles to watch as the Hokies begin practice

I am stoked that 1stString JC Coleman is up that much weight. That kid is going to be the next "holy shit did he just do that" run guy. He's going to destroy a flanker or two.

And for Kendall to be listed there with the "whole fuckin' show" RVD says more for how special he is rather than what RVD might be lacking.

I haven't been this excited about Hokie football in years.

shakeitallabout's picture shakeitallabout | 12 years 11 months # | Scholarships or Brand Rights, Let the Players Decide

What money have they "earned"? Plenty of high schools make money from football games. I wasn't an elite athlete but I started both sides of the ball in high school football and busted my ass in practice but I certainly didn't show up at the AD's door and ask for a paycheck.

These kids aren't forced to play college sports and the rules are clear before they sign up. You get an education, room and board, meals, tutoring, job training, travel, and numerous experiences when many, many people realistically cannot afford college or go into massive debt in the process. If a player decides his higher priority is to "be able to afford to fix his car," then take out loans like nearly everyone else or get a job rather than playing football while getting a free education. Sure, college football players bust their asses and the university most likely profits from it, but the university takes a large financial burden/risk and the players get elite training for an opportunity at a professional career that can pay millions. I don't see olympic sport athletes whining about getting paid and they work just as hard, often don't have full scholarships, and don't have anywhere near the earning potential that football/basketball players do as pros in their respective sports either.

bar1990's picture bar1990
ATLIEN
| 12 years 11 months # | Scholarships or Brand Rights, Let the Players Decide

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but the art gallery doesn't prevent you from earning additional income elsewhere do they? If you meet someone who is a fan of your work, and is willing to pay thousands for an autograph, you're allowed to do that, correct?

Perhaps a better analogy is a student who receives a complete academic scholarship to Virginia Tech. That student is still allowed to pursue other financial ventures in his area of study. He is not forced to accept only unpaid internships if he is on scholarship. If a college football player is just another person studying their craft, why should it be any different?

I think we all realize that there is no perfect analogy for the situation. The problem IMO is that players are prevented from seeking other forms of income so schools can benefit. The problem is complicated by the fact that only a small percentage of students are not receiving 'fair' compensation. Perhaps players would be best served playing in the AFL after a successful year in NCAA ball?

Whatever the case, I think it's unethical to cap someone's earning potential. Something has to change.

shakeitallabout's picture shakeitallabout | 12 years 11 months # | Scholarships or Brand Rights, Let the Players Decide

Comparisons are often very skewed, but I like this one. I hadn't thought of the the point that players aren't required to give any of the money they earn professionally to the university that provided them with high level job training and national exposure and it's a good one.

Personally I'm convinced that the market value of 99% of college football players isn't all that high on its own. If players chose to go to the AFL or a minor league football system existed, the players wouldn't be nearly as recognized, popular, or valuable as they are. The logo on a player's helmet and their affiliation with the university is what makes college athletes valuable and marketable- much more so than their outright abilities or potential as a pro. Fans love college football because of the idea that the players are students and members of the university community who are not all that different (or more corrupt) than the typical student, which most fans relate to and somewhat "relive their college days" since many are alumni in the first place.

Hokieshibe's picture Hokieshibe | 12 years 11 months # | Scholarships or Brand Rights, Let the Players Decide

You still run into the problem of organized sales to influence recruiting. "Come here, and I'll buy your jerseys for myself and all 99,000 of my closest friends!" Or boosters would organize annual "Buy the new recruits' jersey days." If there's a way to abuse the system to gain a competitive advantage, someone will.

fernleyhokie's picture fernleyhokie
🌏MAN OF MYSTERY🕵
| 12 years 11 months # | Bitter blog - Position battles to watch as the Hokies begin practice

I just cannot understand Wiles hatred for Harley. He is not even 3rd string. He was a wrecking ball in spring and now back to the bottom of the barrel. We used to love kids that were disruptive, borderline undisciplined on the line. Cornell Brown flying around in Texas Sugar Bowl game is a prime example. I just don't get it.

slicktrip's picture slicktrip | 12 years 11 months # | Scholarships or Brand Rights, Let the Players Decide

Yes, if they are getting paid for jersey sales there is no longer a point in not putting names on the back. So they would, except for schools like USC who never puts name on the back.

Jhalf's picture Jhalf | 12 years 11 months # | Scholarships or Brand Rights, Let the Players Decide

Finally Registered!!

My biggest problem with these ideas is that it opens a door to a world of grey area.

Who decides who gets paid and who doesn't? Should a player only get paid when they increase the value of the school 50x worth what the school is providing the student? What about at more expensive schools where the costs are higher? What about a student who only contributes 47x what their benefits are? What about smaller sports that don't make any money, but whose students may spend more time perfecting their craft? What about people getting their Doctorate, who could spend twice as much time adding value to the school?

What about all of us students who bring the school business? The school is a business that profits on all of us. Not just athletes. Should i get 5% of my tuition back because I talked 3 of my friends into going here?

Each and every person attending a university will add value. Holding the STUDENT-Athletes more responsible for that value would be a tragic mistake.

mac16's picture mac16 | 12 years 11 months # | Scholarships or Brand Rights, Let the Players Decide

I think the only player would benefit from the Vick era #7 would have been Kevin jones because he had the same jersey style, although he earned his own fame for the number. but now if you want a Vick jersey you can easily find ones with his name on the back

Hokieshibe's picture Hokieshibe | 12 years 11 months # | Scholarships or Brand Rights, Let the Players Decide

Boosters may pay recruits now, but it's a lot riskier, and that opportunity for trouble levels the playing field a lot. I think giving the boosters a greenlight to pay is a mistake, and would absolutely crush any semblance of competitive balance.

bar1990's picture bar1990
ATLIEN
| 12 years 11 months # | Scholarships or Brand Rights, Let the Players Decide

This is the best reason for the NCAA to keep doing what they do. I hope players do start considering the AFL as a viable route if they feel it's best for them. Brendan Jennings did this in basketball (playing in Europe instead of college).

Regarding salaries, it appears Johnny could achieve his open market value in the AFL: http://arenafootballsalary.com/

Pages