The NCAA is run by a bunch of chimpanzees and I am semi-convinced of this.
Your business is predicated upon student-athletes keeping their body healthy, and mind fresh. But God forbid you allocate some funds from the video game revenue to make sure they are fed three times a day, seven days a week. No, I love the hypocrisy of the NCAA saying “Let’s make money off the backs of our athletes, but hell no they can’t make money on their own.”
Student-athletes are allowed to take jobs, but being an athlete is already a full-time job. I do not want anyone to misinterpret my words, I am in no way a Division I athlete. I do not get the grind or grueling schedule. I do not understand how an athlete balances studying, practicing and playing. But, what I do know is they barely have time for anything else. So why not let them sell their image? If Todd Gurley wants to sell his jersey to someone who is willing to pay for it, then let him. If Marcus Mariota wants to start doing Subway commercials today, then let him. Hell, if Larry Nance Jr. wants to be in commercials for the Verizon store here in Laramie, then he should.
Just to be clear I want players to be able to sell their image, not be compensated a wage for playing. A scholarship is good enough for most. It would also become very cloudy when bidding wars would start between schools for a player. Then football players would receive more than volleyball players and….oh god I do not want to think about that mess.
No, if a player wants to take an endorsement or sell gear that is theirs, let them do it. Certain players will earn more than others, that is a given. The back up left guard for Kent State probably will not be getting a call anytime soon. On the other hand, Alabama Wide Receiver Amari Cooper will be receiving offers from Gatorade and Under Armour. Pundits of the opposing side, those who think athletes should not be paid at all, say athletes would eventually endorse items that the school is not on board with. Well surprise, other athletes at other levels do that all the time. In the NFL, players are endorsed by Beats, while Bose endorses the NFL. Talk about two opposite ends of the spectrum.
In the end, student-athletes are still students first. They should get their education, and if that is on a full-ride scholarship, fine. But the ability to sell their image, if they chose will make the college game perfect.
