Dr Winston O'Boogie;1873827 wrote:This investigation seems like it was inevitable. College athletics (big time football and bball) is not a sustainable model. So long as there is this much money around it, I think it is impossible to keep it clean or amateur or whatever. And I don't think there is any way to go back in time and erase this era of big time tv, apparel, coaching salaries, etc. The only solution I can think of would be to allow schools to "sponsor" football and basketball teams. The teams would be independent entities from the schools. But they would wear the school's name and play in the stadium and arena on the campus. Players on the team would get compensated. If they chose to have some or all of the compensation in the form of tuition to the sponsoring school, they would be treated by the school like a normal student - subject to the standard admissions process. But the default for the players on the sponsored teams would be as employees. The term student-athlete would no longer be applicable.
So, for example, there would still be and Ohio State Buckeyes football team. However it would be an entity independent of the University. The entity would pay the school to use its facilities. The revenue from tv and tickets would be used by the entity to pay its coaches, players and staff. Some of that revenue would be used to pay the school for use of its facilities.
This may sound crazy, but I don't think its a huge change from where we are today. All it would do is take the illusion of amateurism away and call the sports what they are - for profit development leagues.
here is the fix......the universities and the NCAA holy grail in this is that they think the almighty "scholarship" these kids get is compensation and what makes them follow rules. All the while, these entities make millions off the $100,000 scholarship. THey should just offer the kids a spot on the team, have them pay their scholoarship and then let them do whatever they want to earn money from their fame.