The NCAA Cartel

The NCAA is committing the biggest coup in the history of sports. The sports landscape in the United States through time has been littered with scandal and ignominy. Much of the wrongdoing is exposed and the perpetrators are eventually brought to justice. The NCAA has gotten a pass for way too long.

Billions of dollars are earned annually from intercollegiate athletics. This revenue is earned from a wide array of sources but television and merchandise constitutes the bulk of cash flow. Coaches and administrators can earn millions of dollars annually as they share in the earning ability of college sports. It’s great that some can earn a very good living, but is it fair that others get left out of the equation?

It’s safe to proclaim many college coaches at large universities have become celebrities in their own-right. If I continue with this same rationale, it’s safe to proclaim fans don’t show up to stadiums every week to see the coach. The athlete is the real star attraction and the reason billions of dollars are generated. The crime here is the fact the athletes don’t get the opportunity to share in this wealth.

The NCAA has convinced congress its sole purpose is to protect the integrity of college sports and education is its priority. Apparently, congress has swallowed the company line becasuse the NCAA has been allowed to operate above the United States anti-trust laws. The very laws that were implemented to protect employees from collusion by their employers have failed to recognize the atrocities being committed annually on U.S. soil. The NCAA has colluded with every NCAA recognized university and set the “scholarship” as the annual pay rate to its employees. While athletes are being provided a “free” education that can exceed 200k in a four year span many others are earning millions.

Don’t misinterpret what I’m saying here because I understand the value of leaving college debt free. There are millions of people that are paying college bills years after they have left their respective institution. The only difference between the lay student and the student athlete is the millions of dollars the athlete has helped generate for the institution. While the lay student goes on to earn their degree many of their counterparts are being persuaded to drop classes, switch majors and take light loads in order to stay eligible. Where is the great defender of education the NCAA when this is going on? Many will argue the point it’s the athletes responsibility to do what’s needed in order to fullfill the real mission of the student athlete which is to graduate. We all know how easily influenced the 18yr old psyche can be, especially when grown men have convinced them they are the next big thing and millions of professional dollars are just aroung the corner. While some athletes go on to the professional ranks there are thousands that have their eligibility expire without the prospects of a pro-contract or degree. Instead of punishing coaches and universities for poor graduation rates they reward coaches like John Calipari with multi-million dollar contracts.

Do I believe athletic departments should start cutting checks to its athletes, no. I do believe their needs to be an investigation by congress into the actions of the NCAA. There needs to be a system devised that looks out for the athletes interest not just bottom lines. Coaches that fail to graduate their athletes need to be reprimanded not rewarded. What about the concept of a NCAA 401-k type program for players exiting universities without pro-contracts? Millions of dollars are generated selling the likeness of these athletes through jerseys, calendars, video games etc. The player doesn’t get a penny of this money, they don’t deserve it? During college these athletes have great medical coverage because many injuries take place. The aftermath of these injuries don’t magically disappear once eligibility expires but medical coverage does. These athletes don’t deserve proper medical service after sustaining bodily harm while serving their alma mater? Kids are convinced to leave their families and committ to schools far away from home in some cases. While the coachs’ kids and family are taking private jets to games the athletes’ parents are struggling to pay for a Greyhound ticket. I’m not a Supreme Court Judge but this dynamic doesn’t appear fair. If the NCAA doesn’t want these kids to be paid maybe they should decriminalize benefits. Why is it a crime if a fan felt the urge to fly a kids’ mom to senior day in order to watch her son play in his last game? The real crime is the NCAA continues to reign without impunity because it’s the American way for poor amateur athletes to be governed by wealthy professionals.

Here is a very interesting read:

http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/05/calipari-donovan-pitino-business-s...