In a previous post we addressed the issue of paying college athletes for their college playing days. We came out against the idea. The problem is that so much advertising money is funneled through college budgets that the players want to share in those riches. The same process is now obvious in every major professional sport. Now it appears players will be able to endorse products and earn pay for using their influence as celebrities. It has also been stated that players will see the door opening wider very soon to allow them to actually be paid on a more lucrative and consistent basis. Again, the presence of ad money corrupts the amateur status. LESSON TO BE LEARNED: Wherever large amounts of money changes hands, there is greed, fraud, the influence of organized crime, point-shaving, the use of PED’s, and many other unsavory practices. Welcome to the new world of college sports. When an assistant basketball coach makes twice the salary of the University President–things are seriously out-of-whack. As money corrupts the system, all schools will need to cheat to keep up with their competition. This will require a watchdog group with strong staffing and rigorously enforced standards. Is that how we want college sports played…under the scrutiny of law enforcement with some athletes going to jail for various criminal infractions? We suggest that amateur status be respected; ad money must go into the non-sports budget of the school; and all sports department staff salaries must be capped at a less-than-100% fraction of the school’s president. Imagine how the gambling world will pressure college players & coaches when millions of dollars are openly “on-the-line”. Would you want your son or daughter playing under that kind of duress?
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