Do I like it? No. I enjoy watching players grow in their candy stripes and wonder what they will be like.
But the reality is that if the NCAA did not adopt this rule they would likely have forced to. Kids and especially “advocates “ are pushing for more and more and more. This should appease them a while as will “likeness” money. That will keep lawmakers and lawyers at bay a few years. But in time amateur sports in college will be nothing like we old folks are used to.
I think the next change will be allowing players to have agents for advertising contracts who push coaches for playing time and more shots via “transfer blackmail.”
I also think D1 will start to shrink centered around a few major schools and large markets. In twenty years the mid majors will be the only real amateurs in a new division or organization.
problem is, society is only going to put up for so long with the idea than it's ok for college sports to remain amateur for the kids, while the grown ups and schools go full blown capitalism.
Saban makes over $27,000 a day, 7 days a week, 52 wks a yr.
Archie just got $10,000,000 to go away.
the best college player in the country can't get a free cheeseburger at McDonald's without putting his eligibility in jeopardy.
this stampede towards college sports going pro wasn't started by the kids, but rather was initiated by the adults for whom no amount was ever enough.
the capitalism algorithm is calling the shots, has no off switch, and no one at any school, or any regulatory agency like the NCAA or the conferences, has the authority or power or ability to over ride the algorithm.
if CMW and CTA were making $95,000 a yr, the assistants $55,000, and your cable bill didn't have a $15-$20 mo, (or more), college sports charge that every subscriber is mandated to pay even if they never watch college sports, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
and no, coaches wouldn't leave coaching.
there would still be way more very qualified applicants for every coaching job there is today, than there are college coaching jobs.
and 99% of those lucky enough to have those jobs at those salaries would still be thrilled to have them, they would still be great sought after jobs, and schools would have no problem filling vacancies with great individuals.
the NCAA could set coaching salaries and tv rights standards just like they do for what the players can and can't receive, and just like pro sports have salary caps, being that sports are basically exempt from all anti trust/anti competitive business practice laws.
and schools would still have plenty of money for sports, even non revenue sports, just like they did before the capitalism algorithm took over.
if you don't like the idea of coaches and schools being so constrained, then don't gripe that the players want in on the action.