Paying College Athletes, the Late John Thompson Jr.'s Opinion
For most of us it is a forgone conclusion what the best course of action is, pay the athletes that are making universities and a whole host of coaches/administrators absurd amounts of money.
A few quotes:
"Universities are supposed to be educational institutions, but for too many of them, their self-worth is tied to winning. When you win, you make more TV money. The school receives more alumni donations and student applications. Local businesses fill up with more customers. Enrollment increases, which brings more revenue."
"Everybody within college basketball knows which schools are buying players — illegally offering cash or other gifts to players or their families to convince them to attend and play at their schools."
"A free education is not nothing — ask someone with student loans about that. Ask someone stuck in a low-wage job if a college degree is nothing. It makes sense to say that college athletes should receive more, but don’t devalue education."
November 12th, 2020 at 8:07 AM ^
I had just read this. Thanks for posting.
Though Thompson wrote because he'd changed his mind, he did include a few issues that need to be addressed.
November 12th, 2020 at 8:10 AM ^
Its absurd that the players arent being paid yet.
The amount of money that NCAA athletics generates is criminal. Some of it can go towards paying the players
November 12th, 2020 at 8:15 AM ^
"Its absurd that the players arent being paid yet."
By the Universities you mean. Pretty sure there are several hours of sworn testimony last year in addition to multiple recorded phone calls that would indicate they are getting paid plenty to pay, just not "officially" by the school they are allegedly attending.
November 12th, 2020 at 8:44 AM ^
Yes. Officially and all that might entail. Taxes are a bitch, but it is part of life. It’s good to start real-world learning with training wheels, ie College. I’d personally suggest more athletes who know they are going to get paid in the leagues just take a financial/business oriented curriculum while in school. Maybe I don’t know shit and am purely talking out of my ass, but it seems like a good idea to me.
November 12th, 2020 at 8:33 AM ^
It may be a foregone conclusion now, but even three years ago, opinion on paying players was contentiously split among fans, even on this blog. It’s another case where today’s polarizing conflict becomes tomorrow’s unassailable truth.
At the risk of self-promotion, if you’re interested, I wrote about that phenomenon here (different context): https://jobymorrow.medium.com/well-tell-our-kids-we-did-the-right-thing-even-if-we-didn-t-9f15b4b5e4d6
November 12th, 2020 at 10:23 AM ^
i agree strongly with your opinion Lenton.
it brings to mind my opinion on......errr....i can't post political content here, so i will leave it alone.
November 12th, 2020 at 11:29 AM ^
I used to be on the dont pay bandwagon. I think many others (self included) were oblivious to the fact of how much money is changing underhand and how inept the NCAA was as at enforcement. In fantasy world, I'd love it if players played for the joy of the game and are coaches cared about developing human beings. At the end of the day though, it's real life. Payers are getting paid, and by trying to act above it all we put ourselves at a serious competitive disadvantage. Giving people money to which they are entitled should no be controversial. For some, it may the best opportunity they will have to make money for the rest of their lives. I dont think the ncaa or the coaches are greedy. Just that people's expectations are no longer realistic. We want to be leaders and best. We need to start acting like it. Wheres the forward looking ideas and innovation? I'm tired of michigan being a joke
November 12th, 2020 at 4:22 PM ^
Yep.
I was recently talking to one of my Michigan professors and he cited the exact same example you used (re: seatbelts) to illustrate your point.
It's kind of amazing how this has been politicized.
November 12th, 2020 at 8:36 AM ^
This will help Michigan close the recruiting gap in the coming years. Boosters will now be able to buy players directly and legally under the new NIL rules. What remains to be see, is whether or not michigan has the coaches that can win with even talent?
November 12th, 2020 at 8:53 AM ^
It really doesn’t matter to me if they pay them or not. It ain't coming out of my check.
I will say that the current system is a great deal for the vast majority of D1 athletes.
For the relatively small number of players who are undervalued in the current system (Trevor Lawrence as an example), a university will never be able (or willing) to pay them their true value.
November 12th, 2020 at 9:02 AM ^
A university won't, but the free market will if left alone, which is what full, unfettered NIL rights would do. It solves the problem of trying to determine who should get how much or determining a player's value. Let the market set the value. Universities can continue to stay out of it.
November 12th, 2020 at 9:20 AM ^
Agreed! ?
November 12th, 2020 at 11:47 AM ^
Yep, no reason why he shouldn't be able to sign a deal with Nike or Gatorade or whatever. If someone wants to do a local spot for a used car lot, fine too. Doesn't hurt me.
November 12th, 2020 at 9:38 AM ^
Probably going to be downvoted, but I agree with Thompson.
These student-athletes ARE paid, I would've loved to have my tuition covered, access to unlimited meals/snacks and graduate debt-free.
These student-athletes aren't appreciative of how good they have it.
November 12th, 2020 at 10:15 AM ^
Most of them appreciate it fine enough, but they can absolutely ask for more. I'm sure your boss would say you are paid well enough for your job but I'm sure you wouldn't mind seeking more if you believed you earned it.
November 12th, 2020 at 12:59 PM ^
That's because there are alternatives available. If a student-athlete at at public university feels they are unfairly "compensated" for their time within their extra-curricular activity (that is providing them with all expenses paid 4+ years of college), they are free to pursue alternatives. If the NFL, Canadian FL, Japanese leagues and other various paid professional football leagues do no want their services (or are not willing to pay what the player wants) - is that the school's fault?
It already is a free market - the university route compensates in other ways aside from direct cash.
November 12th, 2020 at 12:59 PM ^
Agreed.
Why do we all ignore the fact that players already get some pay in stipends?
"The Power 5 conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC and Pac-12) have passed legislation guaranteeing the full cost of attendance for scholarship student-athletes. In addition to a tuition free education, student-athletes will now receive yearly stipends of $2,000 to $4,000 intended to cover cost-of-living expenses."
https://www.athleticscholarships.net/cost-of-attendance-spending-money.htm
Also... "According to a survey of 61,000 respondents conducted by One Wisconsin Institute, the average time to pay off student loan debt is 21.1 years. The average time to repay student loan debt by degree type was:
- Some college (no degree): 17.2 years
- Associate degree: 18.3 years
- Bachelor’s degree: 19.7 years
- Graduate degree: 23 years"
https://www.credible.com/blog/statistics/average-time-to-repay-student-loans-statistics/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20survey%20of,no%20degree)%3A%2017.2%20years
November 12th, 2020 at 2:27 PM ^
And don't forget world class facilities, trainers, coaches, nutritionists, special tutors....
That shit costs a ton of money if you try to do it on your own. It's completely out of reach for just about everyone. So they are most certainly getting paid now.
So would the star running back get paid more than the right guard who is creating all of the holes for him to run through?
November 12th, 2020 at 11:19 AM ^
Many times it's the schools themselves devaluing the education of athletes to ensure eligibility so I don't find that to be a very compelling argument.
November 12th, 2020 at 11:51 AM ^
Sure, if they actually had the time to devote themselves to their college degrees like other students then the argument makes sense. But the educational experience a U-M football or basketball player receives is not the same as the one received by the average U-M student. With their schedules, they can't possibly devote the same time as the average student to school work (why else do you think so many are majoring in General Studies), extracurricular activities/student orgs, and socializing/making friends outside athletics. They don't actually receive the full benefit of the six figure sticker price education they're supposed to be thankful for.
November 12th, 2020 at 1:46 PM ^
Being paid in stipends and free meals is not real payment.
Football players are out here generating $100 million+ in revenue for the university and people think meal plans and dorms are enough. Yes a yearly stipend of $2000 and unlimited snacks definitely makes up for 8 figures profit to the university. Legit delusional.
November 12th, 2020 at 6:21 PM ^
Not a fan of opening Pandora's box and paying players.What's next, having to pay players by their actual value to the team? How do you pay football players and not mens tennis players or women rowers? Just my opinion but imagine the litigation you open yourself up to by paying some athletes but not others. Not to mention if you think the level of entitlement is getting out of control now with some of these high school athletes, just wait until you bring money into the equation.