Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Pay for Play, part III

GREED: excessive desire, as for wealth or power

-World English Dictionary

There is a school of thought that openly paying players through a stipend would reduce cheating and end the hypocrisy that surrounds college football.  The cheating being $100 handshakes, under the table payments, extra benefits etc. and the hypocrisy of all the money involved in college football and the view of college football as a “semi-professional” football league.

The argument just doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.  Some coaches and programs are going to cheat regardless of what the players get paid.  The theory is that if the athletes get enough money to cover their school expenses, then they will turn down the cash or benefits being offered from boosters/agents/hangers on.  Get real.  You think Donald Trump with his empire is going to turn down a $100 no strings attached gift?  These athletes are still going to have their hands out NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU GIVE THEM.

As for the issue of inequality, there is something to be said for coaches getting paid millions of dollars while the athletes are limited to NCAA regulated scholarships.  But I’ve got a news flash for you; inequality has been around since the beginning of humanity.  When the first two people on earth lived next to each other, by definition, one had to be “rich” and the other “poor.”  Again it goes back to market factors.  There are very few Nick Saban/ Bob Stoops class head coaches out there.  There are plenty of guys that can run 4.5 second 40-yard dashes and can tackle in space.  Forcing equality in a situation that a market does not demand such is inefficient and a misguided attempt at social engineering.

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