That's the college doing that, not the ncaa. And it's not free, the students are providing them with a service, that outweighs the tuition, room, and food...
I think you need to brush up on the definition of capitalism. The ncaa is making money off of athletes, but they aren't paying them a dime, because the ncaa says that amateur athletes should not be paid. And on top of that, they aren't even taxed. If this were capitalism, athletes would be making money on jersey sales, video games, they would have contracts like the nba (where they get money!!!) and they would be able to accept gifts/money from people without getting in trouble by the NCAA. Basically, it's not a free market for the athletes.
I tend to lean no. If, as a high school junior or senior, I am an engineering prodigy, why should I have to go to college if someone wants to hire me? It's a better product if guys go to school, but telling someone they can't make a living because of some arbitrary age is wrong. Then again, you can't be President until you are 35. If the best person is 30, why not them?
The thing is, it's a league-issued mandate. If there were another professional league out there that wanted to allow 18-year-olds to come straight in, they'd be able to. In fact, if I were a bored billionaire, that's exactly what I'd do--start a touring basketball league with no age restrictions, and give all these "one-and-done" players somewhere to come and show their skills without having to go to college.
You mean capitalism, where the CEO makes 100 times as much as the workers, and businesses move to foreign countries so they can pay them pennies on the dollar?
18 should be the required age to be drafted. I think the NCAA should just have semi-professional teams represent the university, and drafted players can stay in college after they are drafted. Kind of like how the Winterhawks have players on their roster whose rights belong to an NHL team, but they also have amatuer players on the roster.
They do. Back in 05 they got around $500/month if they lived on campus free, with free food at any cafe on campus. As well as tuition paid for. And free restaurant meals. It happens everywhere. They also get free powerade, soda, pizza etc after practice. And they get the latest and greatest ipods, headphones, gear, clothes etc. At various tournaments they are a part of. And did i mention, girls throw themselves at them always? If they choose not to live on campus, they get about $1,500/month to pay for rent and food and entertainment etc. These were numbers from 2005, and i saw it all firat hand because i roomed with a player. Call me out on saying thats not enough to be considered a rock star fine. But to a 19 year old kid they are living it up.
College students should be paid as long as they agree to be slaves. If athletes work their fingers to the bone 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, like our Founding Fathers did, then they should be paid a slave's wages. Otherwise, shut yo' piehole.
baseballs system i believe is that you can be drafted out of high school. if you dont sign, you must stay for 3 years of college. or attend a junior college/no college, and then you are eligible to be drafted every year. seems like a good workaround, except for whatever reason the ncaa will not let basketball players decide to not sign and come back to school, like they do with baseball. why? TRIGGER WARNING american high school baseball players are primarily white.
if they really raise the minimum age to 21, there could very well be a viable 2nd league pop up. i think people would be interested in seeing teams made up of the last 3 draft classes. they could probably secure a tv contract. that way, the players get paid while they sit on their thumbs waiting...to get paid.
American high school basketball players are primarily white and I assume as much about football. I honestly have no clue about golf. That heavy stuff out of the way, I do believe there is an age threshold(21) that can be reached to make a college sophomore eligible in baseball.
That would fall under the three-year clause. I'm talking about one being eligible after two years after committing to a four-year institution. The NFL doesn't have this as there is no exception for age, it's just three-years out of HS straight across the board. But in baseball if you were held back a grade growing up, it doesn't hurt your chances of earning that potential year of MLB salary.
It's about power plain and simple. The NCAA wants to wield as much power over basketball and football players as possible. They want total control over the amateur status of these athletes and giant revenue stream from those sports. Who gives a crap if some high school pitcher decides to go to Louisville for three years? Is he going to generate millions in merchandise fees and CWS ratings? I think not.
FYI, there is no "college rule". Players are free to go over seas and play for pay at 18. Then return for NBA draft. That is why I have issue with the argument about paying college players. Again, they can go over seas and play for pay (lots do after college). But they know the national stage NCAA basketball gives them is more valuable in the long run than playing in some Euro league. Yes, the NCAA makes billions off these athletes, but lets not act like they aren't getting anything out of the deal either. Without the NCAA, Damian Lillard's checking account is a cool $200 Mill lighter than it is right now.
Wait, are you suggesting that while the NCAA fat-cats are unfairly enriching themselves on the backs of their student slave labor, the students are actually benefiting massively from the exposure that the institution provides? That's just crazy talk!!
Do you actually know anyone who ever received a D1 scholarship? Because I had many friends to played for OSU, and they ALWAYS had money to spend on rent, beer, eating out, etc. In fact, at the beginning of every month they got their stipend check (yes, they were cut a check for their living expenses), and drinks were on them! They had training table, which was 2 full meals a day (better than I ate in college!), text books and tuition paid for. I find that most of the people beating the "pay college players" were never a college player, or even knew any. None of my friends feel like they were "used". Most of them enjoy being debt free to start their profession careers in things other than sports, have one of the best professional networks out there, and had amazing experience in that time. There are 300+ D1 basketball programs at 13 scholarships. That is ~3900 scholarships, 30 of them got drafted in the first round with guaranteed money this year. Yes, lets blow up a system that gets a lot of these kids a college education that normally wouldn't have them so 0.7% of the players can get their money.