Should NCAA Athletes get Paid?

[bobbyake]

of course not, but ESPN did a story on it http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=6209609

Also, if you're interested in looking at revenues, they built a database. Akron's information is in there. http://b2.caspio.com/dp.asp?AppKey=900c100...e223e104a22814a

[skip-zip]

If you are an Akron fan, you should say "heck no". When money is involved, it only serves to create a more unlevel playing field. The closer we can keep everything to COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO HAPPEN TO PLAY A SPORT, the more chance Akron has of being competitive on a national stage.

[GP1]

The closer we can keep everything to COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO HAPPEN TO PLAY A SPORT, the more chance Akron has of being competitive on a national stage.

skip-zip, no offense intended, but in what world is it like this now? It is already closer to guys getting paid (actually, they are getting paid) than college students who happen to play a sport. Way closer. Let's not try to make believe really talented guys at schools like Alabama are there to get an education or that the coaches care whether or not they get an education.

Should they get paid by the schools? No. Should they be able to go out and get a job? Yes.

[skip-zip]

The closer we can keep everything to COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO HAPPEN TO PLAY A SPORT, the more chance Akron has of being competitive on a national stage.

skip-zip, no offense intended, but in what world is it like this now? It is already closer to guys getting paid (actually, they are getting paid) than college students who happen to play a sport. Way closer. Let's not try to make believe really talented guys at schools like Alabama are there to get an education or that the coaches care whether or not they get an education.

Should they get paid by the schools? No. Should they be able to go out and get a job? Yes.

Oh, I know the situation. And I'm merely stating that if we you are an Akron fan, and we continue to see principles that allow things to drift further in the other direction, it's not good news for us.

We need to remember that a college education will be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in these kids lifetimes. And knowing how expensive college has gotten in the 30 years since I attended makes it a benefit that I think these kids should value even more. And that's coming from someone who personally knows what it was like to struggle financially to get a college education.

I only agree with the job restriction because it opens the door for the kids at the bigger schools to get some real sweet perks from supporters and boosters, therefore contributing further to an unlevel playing field, and a disadvantage for Akron. But other than that, I sure wish they could find a way to allow kids to earn a little part time money.

[GP1]

Oh, I know the situation. And I'm merely stating that if we you are an Akron fan, and we continue to see principles that allow things to drift further in the other direction, it's not good news for us.

We need to remember that a college education will be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in these kids lifetimes. And knowing how expensive college has gotten in the 30 years since I attended makes it a benefit that I think these kids should value even more. And that's coming from someone who personally knows what it was like to struggle financially to get a college education.

I only agree with the job restriction because it opens the door for the kids at the bigger schools to get some real sweet perks from supporters and boosters, therefore contributing further to an unlevel playing field, and a disadvantage for Akron. But other than that, I sure wish they could find a way to allow kids to earn a little part time money.

It could be the best news ever for us. We could compete at a level where our peers are more closely like us.

The players aren't in school for an education at big schools. They don't care about the value of it. The USS Value of A Scholarship has sailed.

Kids are already getting sweet perks from supporters and boosters at big schools.

[Zipmeister]

The closer we can keep everything to COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO HAPPEN TO PLAY A SPORT, the more chance Akron has of being competitive on a national stage.

skip-zip, no offense intended, but in what world is it like this now? It is already closer to guys getting paid (actually, they are getting paid) than college students who happen to play a sport. Way closer. Let's not try to make believe really talented guys at schools like Alabama are there to get an education or that the coaches care whether or not they get an education.

Should they get paid by the schools? No. Should they be able to go out and get a job? Yes.

Oh, I know the situation. And I'm merely stating that if we you are an Akron fan, and we continue to see principles that allow things to drift further in the other direction, it's not good news for us.

We need to remember that a college education will be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in these kids lifetimes. And knowing how expensive college has gotten in the 30 years since I attended makes it a benefit that I think these kids should value even more. And that's coming from someone who personally knows what it was like to struggle financially to get a college education.

I only agree with the job restriction because it opens the door for the kids at the bigger schools to get some real sweet perks from supporters and boosters, therefore contributing further to an unlevel playing field, and a disadvantage for Akron. But other than that, I sure wish they could find a way to allow kids to earn a little part time money.

Well then I'm against the job restriction. I think the NCAA should have restrictions that close the door for kids to get real sweet perks from boosters.

[bobbyake]

The closer we can keep everything to COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO HAPPEN TO PLAY A SPORT, the more chance Akron has of being competitive on a national stage.

skip-zip, no offense intended, but in what world is it like this now? It is already closer to guys getting paid (actually, they are getting paid) than college students who happen to play a sport. Way closer. Let's not try to make believe really talented guys at schools like Alabama are there to get an education or that the coaches care whether or not they get an education.

Should they get paid by the schools? No. Should they be able to go out and get a job? Yes.

Oh, I know the situation. And I'm merely stating that if we you are an Akron fan, and we continue to see principles that allow things to drift further in the other direction, it's not good news for us.

We need to remember that a college education will be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in these kids lifetimes. And knowing how expensive college has gotten in the 30 years since I attended makes it a benefit that I think these kids should value even more. And that's coming from someone who personally knows what it was like to struggle financially to get a college education.

I only agree with the job restriction because it opens the door for the kids at the bigger schools to get some real sweet perks from supporters and boosters, therefore contributing further to an unlevel playing field, and a disadvantage for Akron. But other than that, I sure wish they could find a way to allow kids to earn a little part time money.

Well then I'm against the job restriction. I think the NCAA should have restrictions that close the door for kids to get real sweet perks from boosters.

Job Restrictions help prevent against boosters giving players a job that pays $20-50 an hr to do nothing. Simple as that. These players wont be working at Wal-Mart if the job restrictions rule is lifted.

[skip-zip]

The closer we can keep everything to COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO HAPPEN TO PLAY A SPORT, the more chance Akron has of being competitive on a national stage.

skip-zip, no offense intended, but in what world is it like this now? It is already closer to guys getting paid (actually, they are getting paid) than college students who happen to play a sport. Way closer. Let's not try to make believe really talented guys at schools like Alabama are there to get an education or that the coaches care whether or not they get an education.

Should they get paid by the schools? No. Should they be able to go out and get a job? Yes.

Oh, I know the situation. And I'm merely stating that if we you are an Akron fan, and we continue to see principles that allow things to drift further in the other direction, it's not good news for us.

We need to remember that a college education will be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in these kids lifetimes. And knowing how expensive college has gotten in the 30 years since I attended makes it a benefit that I think these kids should value even more. And that's coming from someone who personally knows what it was like to struggle financially to get a college education.

I only agree with the job restriction because it opens the door for the kids at the bigger schools to get some real sweet perks from supporters and boosters, therefore contributing further to an unlevel playing field, and a disadvantage for Akron. But other than that, I sure wish they could find a way to allow kids to earn a little part time money.

Well then I'm against the job restriction. I think the NCAA should have restrictions that close the door for kids to get real sweet perks from boosters.

Job Restrictions help prevent against boosters giving players a job that pays $20-50 an hr to do nothing. Simple as that. These players wont be working at Wal-Mart if the job restrictions rule is lifted.

Exactly.

GP1 - I have to ask. If these things are happening anyway, as you say, does that mean that we should just allow them to happen? I don't buy the argument that we should remove rules because they are being broken too frequently. I also would like to see you show that allowing money to flow more freely to "student athletes" would be anything other than a disadvantage to programs who bring in far less money, and have far less outside donors, like Akron.

[akron football]

Absolutely they should be compensated, as much money as the school makes why can't they throw a couple hundred there way.When I hear that there getting there education paid for I just think yea but they don't have a normal college life. Let's see get up at 5 in the morning run, lift then go to school then back for lift and film and get home late. How much will Akron get for the OSU game? I think that takes care of there payroll and uniforms. We still have how many games left. While all there fellow students get to go out with there friends to eat and enjoy college life the athlete has to workout and watch film and prepare for there opponent. Hopefully we can get a MAC Championship this year. Go Zips!

[GP1]

GP1 - I have to ask. If these things are happening anyway, as you say, does that mean that we should just allow them to happen? I don't buy the argument that we should remove rules because they are being broken too frequently. I also would like to see you show that allowing money to flow more freely to "student athletes" would be anything other than a disadvantage to programs who bring in far less money, and have far less outside donors, like Akron.

We should remove the rules because the rules are moronic. They are intended to punish people who a group of cranky old guys at the NCAA think should be punished because they are a bunch of bitter a-holes. The rules also keep the bloated bureaucracy at the NCAA working.

The more disadvantage programs are at a disadvantage for far bigger reasons than whether or not a kid has a side job. The big conferences have TV contracts, an engaged alumni associations giving millions to support athletics, they can charge higher ticket prices, they can charge out the ying yang for sponsorships, they sell millions in merchandising, they can charge huge sums for things like parking rights, etc. There is your proof....none of it has to do with whether a kid can have a job or not.

So what if some jock sniffer wants to pay a player $50 per hour to appear at a car dealership, etc.? It's a free country first of all and if the jock sniffer wants to spend his money that way, then why should we complain? Unfortunately, we can't develop a high level of jock sniffer like they do. Second, that money is peanuts compared to what schools are making.

[Zipmeister]

The closer we can keep everything to COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO HAPPEN TO PLAY A SPORT, the more chance Akron has of being competitive on a national stage.

skip-zip, no offense intended, but in what world is it like this now? It is already closer to guys getting paid (actually, they are getting paid) than college students who happen to play a sport. Way closer. Let's not try to make believe really talented guys at schools like Alabama are there to get an education or that the coaches care whether or not they get an education.

Should they get paid by the schools? No. Should they be able to go out and get a job? Yes.

Oh, I know the situation. And I'm merely stating that if we you are an Akron fan, and we continue to see principles that allow things to drift further in the other direction, it's not good news for us.

We need to remember that a college education will be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in these kids lifetimes. And knowing how expensive college has gotten in the 30 years since I attended makes it a benefit that I think these kids should value even more. And that's coming from someone who personally knows what it was like to struggle financially to get a college education.

I only agree with the job restriction because it opens the door for the kids at the bigger schools to get some real sweet perks from supporters and boosters, therefore contributing further to an unlevel playing field, and a disadvantage for Akron. But other than that, I sure wish they could find a way to allow kids to earn a little part time money.

Well then I'm against the job restriction. I think the NCAA should have restrictions that close the door for kids to get real sweet perks from boosters.

Job Restrictions help prevent against boosters giving players a job that pays $20-50 an hr to do nothing. Simple as that. These players wont be working at Wal-Mart if the job restrictions rule is lifted.

You are terribly confused. Skip has already pointed out that these restrictions open the door for such activities.

[bobbyake]

The closer we can keep everything to COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO HAPPEN TO PLAY A SPORT, the more chance Akron has of being competitive on a national stage.

skip-zip, no offense intended, but in what world is it like this now? It is already closer to guys getting paid (actually, they are getting paid) than college students who happen to play a sport. Way closer. Let's not try to make believe really talented guys at schools like Alabama are there to get an education or that the coaches care whether or not they get an education.

Should they get paid by the schools? No. Should they be able to go out and get a job? Yes.

Oh, I know the situation. And I'm merely stating that if we you are an Akron fan, and we continue to see principles that allow things to drift further in the other direction, it's not good news for us.

We need to remember that a college education will be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in these kids lifetimes. And knowing how expensive college has gotten in the 30 years since I attended makes it a benefit that I think these kids should value even more. And that's coming from someone who personally knows what it was like to struggle financially to get a college education.

I only agree with the job restriction because it opens the door for the kids at the bigger schools to get some real sweet perks from supporters and boosters, therefore contributing further to an unlevel playing field, and a disadvantage for Akron. But other than that, I sure wish they could find a way to allow kids to earn a little part time money.

Well then I'm against the job restriction. I think the NCAA should have restrictions that close the door for kids to get real sweet perks from boosters.

Job Restrictions help prevent against boosters giving players a job that pays $20-50 an hr to do nothing. Simple as that. These players wont be working at Wal-Mart if the job restrictions rule is lifted.

You are terribly confused. Skip has already pointed out that these restrictions open the door for such activities.

Confused? IF it goes on with restrictions, it has to be kept secret. If it goes on without restrictions, you can do it openly and more frequently. I think that should clear up any confusion.

[Lee Adams]

All the nibbling around the edges is meaningless. As long as $$$$ and not education is the driving force behind college athletics it is useless to debate whether Cam Newton or Von Miller or Patrick Nicely is allowed to have a job. Do ya think Newton,Miller or any 'students' of that ilg have time to hold down a legitimate job? When do they go to class? When to they practice? When do they work out? When do they write papers? Why would some of those guys want to work? They will still get more money from other sources. Take out the financial incentives for the big schools,the problem will tend to go away. Ya,like thats gonna happen.

[GP1]

Do ya think Newton,Miller or any 'students' of that ilg have time to hold down a legitimate job? When do they go to class? When to they practice? When do they work out? When do they write papers? Why would some of those guys want to work? They will still get more money from other sources.

It shouldn't be up to the ncaa to say whether or not a guy can juggle all of the above. If they want to work, they should be free to do so.

[Lee Adams]

Do ya think Newton,Miller or any 'students' of that ilg have time to hold down a legitimate job? When do they go to class? When to they practice? When do they work out? When do they write papers? Why would some of those guys want to work? They will still get more money from other sources.

It shouldn't be up to the ncaa to say whether or not a guy can juggle all of the above. If they want to work, they should be free to do so.

I am not defending the NCAA. As I stated,until you remove the large amounts of money from college sports it doesn't matter. These guys are going to get money. Here is a novel idea,no scholarships. You get into school if you qualify to actually be a student like most of us had to.. If the school wants to admit a marginal student so be it. If you want to play sprots and if the University wants to support sports teams they do that at whatever level they can afford.

Otherwise the NFL needs to start a minor league,like baseball. You get out of high school,you want to play,you go to the minors and develop.

[GP1]

Here is a novel idea,no scholarships. You get into school if you qualify to actually be a student like most of us had to..

I don't think I want to watch players play who have such little talent the value is measured in zero.

[Lee Adams]

Here is a novel idea,no scholarships. You get into school if you qualify to actually be a student like most of us had to..

I don't think I want to watch players play who have such little talent the value is measured in zero.

People watch minor league baseball,go watch the future pros in the minors.

[GP1]

Here is a novel idea,no scholarships. You get into school if you qualify to actually be a student like most of us had to..

I don't think I want to watch players play who have such little talent the value is measured in zero.

People watch minor league baseball,go watch the future pros in the minors.

Minor league baseball players get paid to play. Some rather well.

[Dave in Green]

Where do you draw the line on paying amateurs? College? High school? Grade school? Whatever you make it today, someone will be pushing to extend the age further and further down. Somewhere along the line, responsible adults need to make a stand and try to hold the line. Money corrupts, and adults who corrupt kids are the worst scum.

[Dave in Green]

You just knew that Ralph Nader would eventually get involved in this discussion:

ESPN Story

[Sergeant Zip]

You just knew that Ralph Nader would eventually get involved in this discussion:

ESPN Story

See link to Nader's Core Principles of League of Fans.

League of Fans is a sports reform project founded by Ralph Nader to encourage social & civic responsibility in sports industry & culture. It has been around at least 10 years. He also ripped the city of Cleveland in 1996 for the stadium deal.

[GP1]

Where do you draw the line on paying amateurs? College? High school? Grade school?

Any college athlete receiving a scholarship is getting paid. The question isn't about paying the players to play. It is about them being able to earn money outside of a scholarship from places other than the university they attend. They should be able to have a job or earn money of some kind. It's a free country.

[Lee Adams]

Here is a novel idea,no scholarships. You get into school if you qualify to actually be a student like most of us had to..

I don't think I want to watch players play who have such little talent the value is measured in zero.

People watch minor league baseball,go watch the future pros in the minors.

Minor league baseball players get paid to play. Some rather well.

Thats the idea. The minor league of football is run by the NFL not the NCAA. Just like MLB basically runs the minors.

[Dave in Green]

Where do you draw the line on paying amateurs? College? High school? Grade school?

Any college athlete receiving a scholarship is getting paid. The question isn't about paying the players to play. It is about them being able to earn money outside of a scholarship from places other than the university they attend. They should be able to have a job or earn money of some kind. It's a free country.

First of all, it's not a free country. It's a country of laws and regulations. A totally free country without laws and regulations would be anarchy.

So you'd need enforcement officials to check on every player with an alleged job to ensure that they actually show up for work. It would be way easy for wealthy boosters to pay kids big "salaries" and not require them to show up for work. That's not a job. That's called evading laws and regulations in order to cheat the system.

Any system regulating compensation for amateur athletes must be fair and enforceable. The current system is obviously far from perfect. But it would do no good to replace it with a system subject to equal or greater flaws.

[GP1]

Where do you draw the line on paying amateurs? College? High school? Grade school?

Any college athlete receiving a scholarship is getting paid. The question isn't about paying the players to play. It is about them being able to earn money outside of a scholarship from places other than the university they attend. They should be able to have a job or earn money of some kind. It's a free country.

First of all, it's not a free country. It's a country of laws and regulations. A totally free country without laws and regulations would be anarchy.

So you'd need enforcement officials to check on every player with an alleged job to ensure that they actually show up for work. It would be way easy for wealthy boosters to pay kids big "salaries" and not require them to show up for work. That's not a job. That's called evading laws and regulations in order to cheat the system.

Any system regulating compensation for amateur athletes must be fair and enforceable. The current system is obviously far from perfect. But it would do no good to replace it with a system subject to equal or greater flaws.

My system would allow for the NCAA to have fewer enforcement officials. The NCAA needs fewer of everything, not more of everything. It is none of the NCAA's business, under my plan, what a player does to earn money if the player wants a job. It's about freedom to work. If someone is stupid enough to give a player a $1.0 million to attend University X, then so be it. I don't think it would get that bad, but if it did, it is the fault of the guy giving the money. There are CEOs of companies across America who are making much more per year than that and they know nothing about the business they are running.

The NCAA is not a government institution. They can't put you in jail if you break the rules. There are no "laws", only non-legal regulations placed upon players from a time long passed. Tear down some of the regulations and the NCAA can focus on other things.

If you believe the NCAA is there to make things fair, you have a misconception of what the NCAA actually, in reality, does. The NCAA is there to make money for the large schools. If you don't believe that, they you don't watch the BCS games. I know there is this whole mission statement about education, etc., that is all secondary to making money. If it can be about the money for schools and the NCAA, the players should be able to share in the money making process of the NCAA by being allowed to market themselves. They are the ones making the money anyhow.