On the TunneySide of Sports November 11, 2019, #769 … Playing for Profit
After further review…California is, for the most part, a progressive state. I am proud to be a native Californian, for the most part. We put our trust in our governing officials who, for the most part, make decisions in our best interests. However, our Governor signed a bill that would allow college athletes to hire a sports agent who would contact companies that allow them to pay college athletes for the use of the athlete’s name, image, and likeness. Goals and limits have yet to be established. It’s akin to our California wildfires that have no boundaries.
The NCAA recently voted to permit their other Division I colleges to do the same with the caveat that necessary rules be in place by January 2021. This new opportunity for college athletes to receive financial assistance is fraught with problems. It is the opinion of the TunneySide that profit from the use of an athlete’s NIL is against the amateur code. Today’s rules permit college athletes on athletic scholarships to be provided with tuition, room and board, books and a cost-of-attendance stipend of $2,000 to $5,000 per semester using federal guidelines determined by that institution. Do you see some concerns?
As an example, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) today is a dominate football conference. Do you think athletes recruited by those colleges stay within the stipend guidelines? This is not an accusation but does create possibilities. Colleges for many years have been suspended or fined for recruiting violations. Can you foresee a future issue with this new legislation where violations may occur? This new legislation will not be in effect until January 2023. Is that enough time to invoke and administer guidelines?
LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, both NBA All-Stars, who bypassed college and went directly from high school to the NBA are in support of these new rules. Both were identified as potential NBA superstars while in high school. Already the next high school superstar has been identified. He is 15-year old Emoni Bates a 6’9” sophomore at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan, who will be 19 in 2023 when this law becomes effective. Many have said he is equal or better than LeBron, Kobe, and Durant at that age. What kind of offers will he get?
What is of more concern is the equity involved. What if you are not the star of your college T*E*A*M (Together Everyone Accomplishes More) but a supporting athlete just not getting the accolades, and thus not drawing the attention of agents; thereby not receiving a companies’ endorsement. How effective will that team be working together? Just asking…
Will you comment on concerns you have – or do not have – about paying college athletes?
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