Northwestern players win bid to unionize

[WestWYOPoke]

Interesting article looking at things with more of a pro-player viewpoint in the whole amateur vs. pay-for-play debate. Definitely puts a few things in a more relatable context. My argument to the whole "we're making the university money" line is: yes you are, but I'm here to watch you because of the name on the front of your jersey, not the name on the back. I've never gone to a Wyo game thinking "I'm going today because Player X is such an amazing player", I go because I want to watch Wyo compete.

http://grantland.com/features/northwestern-ncaa-college-athletics-union/

 

[ragtimejoe1]

Interesting article looking at things with more of a pro-player viewpoint in the whole amateur vs. pay-for-play debate. Definitely puts a few things in a more relatable context. My argument to the whole "we're making the university money" line is: yes you are, but I'm here to watch you because of the name on the front of your jersey, not the name on the back. I've never gone to a Wyo game thinking "I'm going today because Player X is such an amazing player", I go because I want to watch Wyo compete.

http://grantland.com/features/northwestern-ncaa-college-athletics-union/

I do think this is where these players are overestimating their value. Just like the NFL. The brand of the given teams is more important than any player.

Take Nick Saban and all current Alabama players and put them on a semi-pro team in Tuscaloosa. Do the same for every SEC school.

Replace all of those players and coaches with "lesser" names/athletes/whatever.

I predict there would still be a greater attendance on Saturdays at the college stadiums than at any semi-pro game.

Really good point.

 

[SnowyRange]

I'm here to watch you because of the name on the front of your jersey, not the name on the back.

Of course...which means no one really cares if they're paid, can bargain for work rules, can transfer immediately just as coaches can, appear in commercials to make a little money, whatever.

 

[WestWYOPoke]

I'm here to watch you because of the name on the front of your jersey, not the name on the back.

Of course...which means no one really cares if they're paid, can bargain for work rules, can transfer immediately just as coaches can, appear in commercials to make a little money, whatever.

Fair point, I agree with everything you listed except immediate transfers. I support some changes in the transfer rules (like a one-time "free" transfer during your career, any subsequent transfers refer to existing rules), but I think dropping all transfer regulations could make things very messy. The rest of it...go for it, 98% of players are going to suddenly find out they won't make nearly as much as they think they are worth.

 

[ItSucksToBeACSURam]

It will not surprise me in the slightest if schools start dropping certain athletic teams. "You want to unionize so we have to pay you to play football? How about we just drop our football program".....or something along those lines. Sure football is most universities budget maker, sure they make millions. But what happens when they make those same millions but their expenses now shoot through the roof? It may get ugly very soon.

 

[WestWYOPoke]

Unfortunately, cutting football would most likely lead to cutting other programs as a lot of programs are funded from the profits football brings in. In those cases, I would see schools cutting non-revenue sports first (wrestling, track, swimming, etc.) in order to have enough money to give to the now more costly football program. I get why some athletes feel taken advantage of, but there are others benefiting besides high-paid administrators. For example, the scholarship for that swimmer or for that track athlete that couldn't go to school otherwise. This affects a lot more than just football and basketball.