MonkeyMan

December 9th, 2015 at 10:11 PM ^

I wish they made a film about all the students who have to pay higher tuition to cover the costs of money losing athletic programs (the great majority of colleges). Why should I pay more for tuition so some marginally educated kid can play sports for a while and drop out?

thats the exploitation nobody wants to make a film about- the massive sports subsidy

Joined: 10/13/2013

MGoPoints: 1753

ak47

December 10th, 2015 at 9:54 AM ^

Yup the kids who have to pay an extra $150 are being exploited, not the people who generate millions of dollars of value, put their bodies and future at risk, have schedules that make graduating in any science major nearly impossible, and receive $30,000-$50,000 worth of value  while being denied the right to make money of their own likeness.

You know who else gets exploited?  students who are physically unable to use gyms but still pay facility fees, liberal arts students who pay higher tuition than their degree costs  to cover the higher salaries and lab equipment in STEM fields, students who aren't part of a student organization but still have to pay money every semester to student government, out of state and internation students who are being used to subsidize cuts from the state.  Welcome to the world, this isn't an either or discussion and this movie focuses on football, a clear revenue generating sport, football athletes at D1 schools are exploited, there isn't really all that much of a debate about that. 

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gustave ferbert

December 10th, 2015 at 10:08 AM ^

Football athletes at D1 schools are granted access to a network of professionals that support the program that will offer them every opportunity upon leaving the program.  Either through graduation, after their time with NFL is over, and especially if they are injured.  

The average student is not granted that access.

So there is a great deal to debate about this topic. 

Joined: 06/21/2011

MGoPoints: 46362

maizenbluenc

December 10th, 2015 at 10:58 AM ^

a) if students are subsidizing a sport, as they are at most universities, then there is no mythical millions the athlete's are being bilked of (unless you want to get into Title IX and coaching salaries)

b) if these kids went to a minor league instead - same kids - they'd make way less than the value of their scholarships while being taxed, not have near as much access to the training and facilities they do have in college, and not have the opportunity for the 95% who will not play on Sundays to get a college degree

c) b implies that at least some of the millions are in fact brand value of the University football program

If we want to go the "basic income" route like Finland fine - but the stipulation still should require part of that income to be spent on full time enrollment in the University - and then there are taxes.

I believe the NCAA should allow the athlete to profit above board from their fame while in school (because again 95% of these guys will never have the opportunity to otherwise), but that process has to be above board and taxed.

Bottom line: I would bet at most universities, if you took the net income after expenses of football or basketball, and split that income between the players and then taxed it, it would be less than what they are getting now.

Joined: 07/21/2009

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LSAClassOf2000

December 9th, 2015 at 9:19 PM ^

In reality, it is a totally different thread if we're going to talk about someone's tittle being corected - surely this becomes one of those threads where people get advice on minor "medical" procedures, if I am not mistaken.

As for the topic itself, I think this is a great project honestly - rather interested to hear what Desmond might have to say on the subject, to be honest. Same goes for Aaron Rodgers, having seen the tweet. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

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Black Socks

December 9th, 2015 at 10:27 PM ^

All the guys in the photo are multi-millionaires.  That being said - when college presidents took over football from the AD's, they added the 12th game, then BCS, then playoffs.  I agree there has to be a limit.  10 - 11 games is enough for football.

Joined: 11/30/2009

MGoPoints: 14363

WolvinLA2

December 10th, 2015 at 12:12 AM ^

I would love a genuine minor league so these kinds of arguments can stop. But you know what? A minor league would never work. People don't want to watch a league that's simply a less-skilled NFL. People want to support their school. Because these players are representing something, it different. NCAA football generates money because of what represents. If these same players played on teams in mid-sized cities around the country, people would watch it as much as they watch AAA baseball or D-League basketball. So when people call college football a minor league for the NFL, it's way more than that. It's the schools. And that's why I don't buy that it's the players who are responsible for bringing in all this money. Because if those same guys all played for the Grand Rapid Rampage, no one would even know who they are. And Michigan football, with some variance (more determined by the coach than anything else), brings in just as much money regardless of who the players are.

Joined: 11/13/2009

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ReegsShannon

December 10th, 2015 at 12:36 AM ^

Yep. The vast majority of the value of the NCAA is wrapped up in brand loyalty. The vast majority of student athletes are replacement-level in the NCAA's model.

The D-League and European Leagues have way better talent level and quality of play than NCAA, but no one cares. D League players are only paid 25k a year.

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johnvand

December 9th, 2015 at 10:59 PM ^

Yeah! I mean, it's not like a computer science major on an accademic scholarship can just go off and make a bunch of money during the summer at Google.  Michigan would surely have to pull his schollarship if he did something so absurd.

And those dudes on your dorm floor who were just on ESPN 87 in that video game tournament, wearing their "Corsair" polo shirts holding that over sized check... Those guys are gonna have to give up their Pell Grants.  Surely.

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TIMMMAAY

December 9th, 2015 at 9:43 PM ^

I think they should get a better stipend, but that's about as far as I go with my view. I think the real outrage is all of the outside assholes who have figured out a way to gouge the fans/consumers any way they can to get their own slice of the pie. That is what really should be cut away, and is the real exploitation of athletes. 

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MGoPoints: 56287

goblue224

December 9th, 2015 at 9:41 PM ^

Did anyone else take the time to watch the trailer? Adrian Arrington speaks and looks to be a big part of this film. The stuff he mentions in the short clips they show him in is pretty shocking.

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StraightDave

December 9th, 2015 at 9:48 PM ^

to the same academic standards as everyone else and provide them with academic scholarships instead.   

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MGoPoints: 4232

Hotel Putingrad

December 9th, 2015 at 10:11 PM ^

give them two extra years after their eligibility to get their degree cost free. Let's be honest: major college football and basketball players don't have as much time available as the average student. If you're going to advertise an education, give them a real opportunity to earn it. And there also should be two years of free medical care for any play-induced injury.

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Perkis-Size Me

December 9th, 2015 at 9:51 PM ^

Because nothing says exploitation like free education, board, meals, tutors, and trainers.....would've killed for that during my time at UM.

I get the idea, schools make money off of players and the attention they bring. It'd be stupid to think A&M didn't rake in the green when Manziel was in town, or RGIII with Baylor, Tebow with UF, and the list goes on.

But let's say you start paying players. How do you distinguish what you pay your star QB vs. your backup long snapper? How're you making the NCAA any different from a JV NFL? How is this going to in any way help the countless athletic departments who are operating on a deficit every single year?



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drzoidburg

December 9th, 2015 at 11:41 PM ^

did your time at UM generate $600,000 for the school like the football players? Did you risk life and limb in the process? I'll argue all day with the jackass on the podium who acted like only football players work hard and have outrageous time demands, but your use of the word "free" is equally insulting to them As for the AD deficits, that's the result of spending beyond their means. Almost none of it is truly necessary - buyouts of shitty coaches and admins paid way too much to begin with, a $10 million golf clubhouse at a place too cold to golf 3/4 of the year, $100 million luxury boxes, a rowing team that no one is willing to pay to see....god forbid some of this fell by the wayside The one thing i'll agree with is the essence of 'amateurism' would die completely, but from my view college football already is a JV NFL

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