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By Nate Sanchez
Sports Columnist
The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s grip on control of college sports is beginning to loosen. For years, the non-profit organization has reaped the benefits of a billion-dollar industry on the backs of modern-day slaves.
In the midst of the controversy surrounding the rights to unionize recently exercised by the football players of Northwestern University, the NCAA finds itself with its back against the wall once more.
After the University of Connecticut’s championship victory earlier this month, guard Shabazz Napier mentioned to the media that he and other athletes would often go to bed “starving.” Last week, the NCAA’s legislative council got rid of all of its restrictions on food for athletes.
NCAA President Mark Emmert mentioned that this conveniently-timed legislation has been in the works for over two years on ESPN’s Mike & Mike. A twitter Q&A session allowed fans to ask Emmert about his position on the issue, and it did not go well.
The consensus among those who chimed in was that the NCAA isn’t doing enough by releasing restrictions on food and snacks.
The issue is bigger than food. While this is a huge step toward the liberation of student athletes, Emmert still makes $1.7 million according to the NCAA’s tax return. Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski made $7.2 million last year, Alabama’s head football coach Nick Saban was paid over $5 million last year.
The players to whom these men have built their success remain without compensation for the extra time and effort they put into making millions of dollars for their school.
Coaches, in addition to financial compensation, are allowed more freedom. They are allowed to bounce from school to school as they please in search of a contract. Players, if they want to transfer, must receive a written letter of permission from their current coach and must spend a full year at their current school. Then they have to sit out the year at their new school. A year without playing can be detrimental to a player’s future career.
The purpose of college is to prepare its young men and women for the future. Besides an education, why withhold students from opportunities to find work elsewhere? Other students are allowed to make money on their creative enterprises, why not athletes.
The student athletes make more money for the school than their education is worth. In many cases, the athletes go pro before they even finish school. The NBA only requires one year of college. The NFL requires two. What’s the point of getting an education if you’re going to end it halfway in?
