the "good ole days" when Kansas kidnapped players off other campuses, Ky sent pocket money through the mail, skirting academic requirements was an art form, and players held summer shadow jobs that paid for fancy cars and clothes. It was fun to speculate who would get caught and if the punishment would come close to matching the deed. This new marketplace auction for year-by-year player rights has taken all the fun out of the game.
However, things aren't perfect, the NCAA has more opportunities to exploit. Since NIL often pays better, and overseas and G-League players represent an untapped resource pool, they should be allowed to participate. Similarly, the NCAA should allow mid-season transfers (after all, people in regular jobs can change employers any time of year). That way, teams like Kansas, maybe just one key player short of a shot at the title, can pay to get the missing player and avoid kidnapping charges.
And, do we really need to maintain the myth of academic progress? These are paid jobs, going to class is an unpaid activity and a waste of time. Besides, with all this switching schools, it would be hard to maintain any academic continuity. If we get rid of all these restrictions, then coaches could hire bagmen, give them a list of what they need, and send them out to bring in the talent. That would give the coaches more time for other activities and give them some degree of separation. (sorry, old idea, some schools already do that)
If the NCAA wants to further enhance their revenues there are a few more opportunities they haven't exploited. They could allow each team and each player to have a 6x6 " area on their jerseys for advertising as long as the NCAA got a cut. Another opportunity to take a cut of the pie; let the fans gamble on the portal, which team will finish first in the player sweepstakes, which player will get the biggest NIL, trifectas, whatever scenario can entice bettors. The NCAA could make a fortune and fans could have a personal stake in the off-season. It may not replace their new-found disinterest in the season, but it may help ease the transition.
Does anyone know where I can find an old-fashioned pick-up game where "eeny, meeny, miny, and moe" determines who plays where?
However, things aren't perfect, the NCAA has more opportunities to exploit. Since NIL often pays better, and overseas and G-League players represent an untapped resource pool, they should be allowed to participate. Similarly, the NCAA should allow mid-season transfers (after all, people in regular jobs can change employers any time of year). That way, teams like Kansas, maybe just one key player short of a shot at the title, can pay to get the missing player and avoid kidnapping charges.
And, do we really need to maintain the myth of academic progress? These are paid jobs, going to class is an unpaid activity and a waste of time. Besides, with all this switching schools, it would be hard to maintain any academic continuity. If we get rid of all these restrictions, then coaches could hire bagmen, give them a list of what they need, and send them out to bring in the talent. That would give the coaches more time for other activities and give them some degree of separation. (sorry, old idea, some schools already do that)
If the NCAA wants to further enhance their revenues there are a few more opportunities they haven't exploited. They could allow each team and each player to have a 6x6 " area on their jerseys for advertising as long as the NCAA got a cut. Another opportunity to take a cut of the pie; let the fans gamble on the portal, which team will finish first in the player sweepstakes, which player will get the biggest NIL, trifectas, whatever scenario can entice bettors. The NCAA could make a fortune and fans could have a personal stake in the off-season. It may not replace their new-found disinterest in the season, but it may help ease the transition.
Does anyone know where I can find an old-fashioned pick-up game where "eeny, meeny, miny, and moe" determines who plays where?
