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Several prominent players at the March Madness basketball tournament took aim at the NCAA on social media Wednesday, demanding changes to how they are allowed to be compensated in the latest organized display of power by college athletes.
Isaiah Livers of Michigan, Geo Baker of Rutgers and Jordan Bohannon of Iowa were among those pushing for NCAA reforms with the hashtag #NotNCAAProperty. The athletes, who are staying at hotels a short walk from NCAA headquarters in downtown Indy, are urging the association to allow them to earn money for things like sponsorship deals, online endorsement and personal appearances.
“The NCAA OWNS my name image and likeness,” Baker tweeted. “Someone on music scholarship can profit from an album. Someone on academic scholarship can have a tutor service. For ppl who say “an athletic scholarship is enough.” Anything less than equal rights is never enough. I am #NotNCAAProperty”
The tweets were posted on the eve of the tournament. Because of the pandemic the event is being played entirely in Indiana with all 68 teams staying in what the NCAA describes as a “controlled environment.” Players are largely limited to their hotels, practices and games. The tournament generates nearly $900 million in revenue for schools and conferences from the NCAA’s media rights deal with CBS and Turner Sports to broadcast the games.
“It’s become clear to even the biggest NCAA apologist that we are playing this tournament primarily to deliver content to media rights partners,” said ESPN’s Jay Bilas, a former Duke player. “That’s what this season was about.”
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They should have any money or an equitable share of profits set aside for the point when these “athletes” are no longer amatuers and given to them in one lump sum from an escrow account, as well as any interest.
However this is not like comparing apples to apples and they know it. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Are these athletes going to pay the Universities back for what is essentially free promotion? They are not asked to pay for being seen by professional scouts are they? Being seen on a nationwide television game is exceptionally valuable. That exposure could be worth millions based on what that exposure gets them in terms of draft position etc..
I don’t understand your argument. Players are basically forced to play college basketball because the NBA requires that, or playing professionally abroad. Without the talented future pro players, the schools/NCAA would make little to no money. The players TV exposure is less than or equal to the exposure the schools receive. Maybe you could argue that players being paid should forfeit their scholarships for other kids who need them, but that’s a different debate.
No Wes they are not forced, they can play in Europe, The G league, oh but the aren’t center stage, showing their talents.
Also this pot of money goes to all schools, and help support non-revenue sports, and do all the athletes receive the same? Or is it the haves and have nots? The logistics of such a scheme always get in the way.
Why in a few states is the football coach at a university the highest paid state employee?
Dumb…there getting a free ride through college, Value:$50.000+
When my employer wasn’t paying me a good wage, I found another job
They should get paid, after they paid their own way to play. As a donor, why would I sponsor a team where the players are making more money than I do?
They are students that play a sport. The NBA is a job where they get paid.
Do the bench players get equal pay? How about the other 23 sports teams? Do they get paid equal dollars?
This is another case of the mob mentality of entitlement with no course of action. I want, I want, give us a plan.
They might have used to be student-athletes, but they are now athletes that attend classes when it doesn’t conflict with their sports.
They’re spending 40 hours a week on football when they are in season. How does that leave time for any sort of major that will prepare them for life after football?
http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/ncf/id/4443099
There will no doubt be complexities and inconsistencies inherent in any compensation reform plan proposed, but it is past time for alternative proposals to be formulated, studied, publicly disclosed, reviewed, and critiqued, and then formally considered for adoption by the NCAA.
For the NCAA to continue to do nothing is untenable and will inevitably cause more harm than good, for the student-athletes, for the universities, and for college athletics generally.
I love this subject. Compensate the players as they see fit.
As a taxpayer (only applies to public Universities, Butler- Duke… N/A)
Players will the be required to compensate the taxpayers for “ALL” education, facilities, transportation, room and board, uniforms including shoes, socks and tape, coaching and staff compensation an any other expenses that may be required for them to perform their duties.
They must decide as an arriving freshman and must be able to except the financial liability if there compensation falls short of the “cost including administration fees”
So player a get 50 K compensation per year and his expenses are 350K for 4 years he owes the taxpayer 150K.
Many college athletes aren’t smart enough to know there real worth, be careful what you ask for.