If players want pay then they better go pro.
The NCAA model is not perfect. But it does a good job from an educational and opportunity standpoint. Sure football and men's basketball bring in billions of dollars, but those monies provide scholarship and sport opportunities for all the other women's and men's sports on campus.
As an alumni, I like the model where revenue ISU gets from the big 2 sports funds academic opportunities for volleyball, wrestling, soccer, track, etc. student athletes.
College football and basketball players are getting paid. They receive hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of sport training over their 4 years. They receive full scholarship, board and expense money. Depending on the school and if instate or out-of-state that is easily worth $150,000 to $300,000 over 4 years. Lastly, the most recent info I saw the value of a college degree vs high school diploma is over $1,000,000 over someone's lifetime.
Sounds to me college basketball and football players get A LOT. The NCAA has done a sucky job keeping academic integrity in FB & MBB. If I am university Presidents and NCAA I make no apologies for the current model.
I have no issue with image and likeness payments, but I would want coordination with IRS and very stiff penalties for corporations and athletes if abuse occurs.
If I am NCAA and Presidents, I would tell guys wanting pay to go pro or find opportunity elsewhere. I have no doubt some entrepreneurs would create a paid development for college age football players. I believe the NBA G-League is already headed in that direction.
Thank-you for writing what I was thinking! I agree 100%!