This morning when I logged on to Twitter I noticed a ton of updates from Jalen Rose regarding his thoughts on the unjust and inequitable NCAA system. Here's what he had to say:
my negative about college hoops/sports is the flagrant exploitation of college kids-I will list a few reasons-HOW THIS TAKES PLACE
player signs letter of intent-coach decides to go to another school/or the pros for a bigger deal-to transfer-player has to sit out a season
google how much money is generated by the NCAA(for decades)-tv/tix sales/gear/reg season/conf tourneys/ncaa tourney/bcs games.
college coaches have no salary caps-they mk money from the schools-shoe companies-commercials-camps-tv-radio-appearances.
the coaches even are allowed to hv agents-in a lots of cases-that just so happen to end of representing(wink)their best players in the NBA
what happens to the players who dont mk it to the NFL or NBA..that helped generate billions to coaches-shoe companies and universities?
a degree does not guarantee a job-what if you need more than for years to earn a degree?
college athletes are not allowed to work during the school year-WHY-your sport is your job- just not being paid to do it
so as you enjoy the NCAA tourney-note-ONLY 60 players(incl overseas)will get drafted-the underclassmen will head bk to campus-
majority of the seniors who helped generate billions..for colleges and coaches will head into obscurity..and a ton w/o degrees..SAD
Reading this brought a big smile to my face. How many former college athletes have public with their views? It's more than just saying the NCAA generates billions and, therefore, players deserve to get paid. It's about fairness. It's about players having a legitimate voice. Jalen Rose is not the only person to express opinions about the college system. But he is a respected professional athlete, so it carries more weight. Jalen was one of the lucky few to make the NBA. But what about the others? I'm sure Jalen knows many guys who have gone through Division 1 basketball programs, perhaps didn't take advantage of the academic opportunities. And maybe it was their fault. But the reality is too many D1 athletes end up getting shuffled through school, stay eligible, play ball and ultimately leave school with a less-than-meaningful degree -- or no degree at all.
The Money Players Blog addresses the business of sports from the players' perspectives. It also tries to advocate for athletes, particularly college football and basketball players who are an under-represented group.
We're glad Jalen is speaking up for a group of players that often get lost in this seemingly never-ending PSA. When coaches get paid $4 million/year, at some point the constant cries of poverty and the supposed virtues of "amateurism" begin to erode. So Jalen, if you read this. keep speaking your mind. We'd love to have you and other current and former professional athletes post here at Money Players. The debate is good -- and maybe it will lead to some action.
--Nate Jones
Jalen Rose speaks the truth here. I do have one minor quibble with one of his items.
He said, "majority of the seniors who helped generate billions..for colleges and coaches will head into obscurity..and a ton w/o degrees..SAD"
The lack of a degree - or the lack of significant progress toward a degree such that one might be earned with only a modest additional effort - is as much the fault of the "student-athlete" as it is the fault of the coach or the school.
The NCAA makes these kids financial victims; the kids inflict the educational wounds on themselves.
Posted by: The Sports Curmudgeon | April 03, 2009 at 12:53 PM