January 11, 2014 · 11:14 AM

For the NCAA, not getting paid is a “modern experience”.

I’ve been waiting for this logic shoe to drop in the O’Bannon case:

The O’Bannon plaintiffs say recent bylaws allowing athletes to receive $300 more than actual expenses (provided the money comes from a permissible source), athletes to be employed at the school’s summer camps, and other benefits related to academic support and medical expenses are examples of less-restrictive variations of amateurism. The plaintiffs say the proposed cost-of-attendance stipend and possible changes allowing athletes to use their name, image and likeness to promote commercial businesses also suggest a less-restrictive alternative to the no-pay rules.

Yet, the O’Bannon lawyers wrote, “the product of these college sports is as popular (and more lucrative) than ever.”

In other words, if paying players will be apocalyptic for the sport, as the organization and others have alleged would occur if the plaintiffs prevail, resulting in a dramatic drop in public interest, how is it that the payments already permitted by NCAA rules and contemplated by the player stipend being pushed by Mike Slive and others won’t?

I’ll hang up and listen for your answer, Donald Remy.

“We are striving to make certain that in this 21st Century student-athletes are offered opportunities for a modern experience and compete in a healthy and safe environment,” Remy said. “Meanwhile, the plaintiffs are seeking to separate certain student-athletes from their peers and make them employees.”

You make that sound so dirty.  Aren’t coaches and school presidents employees?

2 Comments

Filed under The NCAA

2 responses to “For the NCAA, not getting paid is a “modern experience”.”

  1. Bright Idea
    January 11, 2014 at 1:22 PM

    Another 99% vs. the 1% setup coming. The Manziels and Winstons collect while their OLinemen sit on the street corner with a tin can.

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  2. Jim Dunlap
    January 13, 2014 at 9:38 AM

    NCAA Makes More Off Free Black Labor than Confederacy Did!

    Historical average slave auction price was $380 in 1840. 2012 inflation adjusted value is $10,000. There were 8,000,000 African Americans in the Confederacy in 1840. So that totals $80 billion in 2012 dollars. Assuming a 5% return on capital, those slaves would generate about $4 billion per year in profit. I would venture that all the NCAA members’ profits off free black labor (i.e., athletes), including the annual $1 Billion March Madness TV Deal, $3 Billion annual Football TV Deal, etc. is in excess of $4 billion per year. They only have to feed and house the free black labor with little time or expense spent on education — just like in the Old Confederacy! I tip my hat to them—billions off free black labor into the 21st Century and no annoying Northern states to fuss with. Go NCAA!

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