College Basketball Programs Eliciting Payments:
Article Link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/sports/ncaabasketball/ncaa-college-basketball.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fncaabasketball&action=click&contentCollection=ncaabasketball®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront
Lebron Interview Link:
http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=22596600
Discussion Questions:
How should colleges be punished for paying athletes? Should they be punished at all?
Should college athletes who are accepting this money be punished?
Should all college athletes be paid, regardless of which sport they play?
Lebron James said in an interview, "I don't know if there's any fixing the NCAA. I don't think there is. It's what's been going on for many, many, many, many years. I don't know how you can fix it. I don't see how you can fix it." Lebron later suggested the NBA should develop its minor league to give young athletes an alternative to NCAA basketball. Do you think this is a good idea?
I think that colleges should be punished by possibly loosing eligibility in their conference tournaments or March Madness because even though I don't think that paying college athletes is totally wrong it is still illegal, and the top schools are not above the laws most other schools follow. I don't think that the college athletes should be punished for accepting money because they are still kids and given the opportunity they are going to try and make a decent living for themselves at college, while possibly supporting a family back home. Going off of that many, but not all college players families are financially secure enough for them to not be taking that money; many of them have never seen that much money in their life. Also in certain cases were players took a little bit of money, it was to pay for his mom's heat in the dead of winter, so the athletes should not be blamed for taking any money. I don't think that all college athletes should be payed because the reasoning behind paying them is because of how much money they earn for the school, so not all schools can afford that; However, they should be paid a decent amount, not a lot to make the school go broke, but enough for them to live on a buy stuff with. I'm not sure wether or not a separate league would be good for the sport of basketball, but it would be interesting if the NBA tried to step in and help out the NCAA.
ReplyDeleteI believe that colleges should be punished for trying to pay and reward college athletes. Although I personally believe that athletes should be paid, there are rules in place that restrict this and when broken, colleges should be punished. A fair punishment for these colleges would be disqualification from certain tournaments or playoffs. I feel like that these athletes shouldn't be punished too harshly. These athletes are still kids who sometimes only have sports to help themselves and their families. I personally believe that athletes should be paid because of how much money they allow the NCAA makes but there definitely will be loopholes and flaws that will make it very difficult. There would be many questions of how much to pay each athlete and how to pay them all equally.
ReplyDeleteI believe that colleges should be punished if found to be recruiting high school players. Especially when the top ranked high school players in the article were basically "for sale" to the highest team bidder who was ultimately backed by the shoe company Adidas. Although I personally believe that high school athletes should not be paid to play at their college because they are offered a scholarship to attend school there, the widespread corruption of the N.C.A.A as well as it's marketplace for recruiting basketball players is illegal and should be considered unacceptable. Trying to recruit high school players using this method violates the N.C.A.A policies that block teams from paying players beyond a scholarship and other related costs. However, the athletes who were offered money have been deemed "ineligible." I understand why they were given the punishment of being unable to play, because they did accept illicit money from these colleges. Nevertheless, in the spur of the moment, who isn't going to accept a once in a life time opportunity to help out their family, money issues or home situation?
ReplyDeleteThis is a complicated mess, and not because I don’t care. March Madness is a blast, and I do enjoy college basketball. It’s a dog eat dog world out there and the money for colleges is very, very real so the schools need the best recruits possible. If people want to give money to players and coaches, then I guess I fall in the category of not being upset about it. It’s an unfair playing field for sure as certain schools will not be able to get the best recruits, but I think that system is the way it goes already. Players are going to pick the schools that have the best gyms and locker rooms as it is, so the biggest schools are going to be able to attract the best players. Money is already a part of the system and its not going to be able to go back to any olden days of equal schools and equal systems.
ReplyDeleteI actually like Lebron James’ idea. The NBA then could be in charge of paying athletes and this would not force colleges to have to make tough decisions. Now I see that this would take athletes away from college programs and the NCAA would definitely freak out. NCAA fans and alumni associations that funnel money into the programs would try and stop this move as well. This may be a nonstarter, but what a great job.
The players especially shouldn’t be punished ever. They have to take care of themselves, their families, and their futures. They should be able to attend the school that is going to take care of them. The best players need to be on television to get into the NBA. They need to display their talents. They deserve to get the shoe contracts they want. The game is hard on players so I’d never stop them from making money at it. If it’ out there, I would never tell anyone to not take it or get in their way.
The problem with paying college athletes directly is that it would actually make the lack of equality between school worse and the situation should not be even more unequal. Certain schools cannot obviously afford to pay athletes. Even at schools where football and basketball players can be paid, wrestlers and volleyball players won’t be paid so that will cause so many more problems. I think money should be set aside to make sure that all athletes can eat whenever they want to and they can all get tutoring services as often as possible. All of that would be on top of scholarship money. But directly paying athletes would ruin certain schools and ruin collegiate sports at every school as kids would not focus on sports outside of the ones that actually pay.
I believe if a college is found to be paying athletes they should be punished in some way by the league. One way they could be punished is disqualification from certain tournaments. I think the college athletes who are accepting the money should have some kind of punishment if they cant play a game or if they have a fine. If the athletes aren't punished at all this will continue to happen and will not stop. There should defiantly be more talk about college athletes getting paid. But I think if they did get paid it shouldn't be as much as professions get paid. These athletes are still in college and don't need to be paid millions of dollars a year. I think what Lebron James said about making a minor league to the NBA could work for that sport. But what are they going to do for all the other sports that are out there? Also, what would making this minor league do to the NCAA basketball at most colleges in the United States? I think Lebron James has a good point but I think its to late to do this and couldn't work out if it happened.
ReplyDeleteI think that colleges should be punished for paying athletes. There is now an incentive to top high school basketball recruits and gives other colleges less of a chance to get a player to commit to their school. The NCAA should punish paying colleges by not letting them compete in their conference tournament, and if it is found out that a school has been paying athletes multiple times, I think that they shouldn't be able to compete in March Madness. Although it is illegal I don't think the athletes should be punished. A lot of these athletes are trying to make it to the NBA so they can support their families, so when a college offers money they don't wanna turn that down. I don't blame the athletes for wanting money though. I think that all college athletes should be paid. There is so much funding for the sports programs, but none of it goes to the athletes. I think that ticket sales and merchandise sales should go to the athletes because if they weren't playing there would be nothing for fans to watch. I think that if colleges are already paying athletes they should just make it legal. I don't think that this Minor league basketball would work as an alternative, because if athletes want to be paid but don't want to go to college they can just go overseas to play. Some athletes may think this is a good idea, but I just don't think it would work out.
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ReplyDeleteI believe that the most effective way for colleges to be punished for paying athletes is to remove/suspend them from tournaments and games for a reasonable amount of time, whether it be for a few games or for a whole season depending on how many times a school has payed an athlete or athletes. Until the school can agree and comply with the NCAA rules, they should not be able to participate. Paying athletes money potentially encourages them to choose a certain school, sign with a certain brand, and starts their salary early when the majority of college athletes their age are not being paid. Nevertheless, I do not believe that college athletes should be punished for accepting the money that is being offered to them. Although it is violating NCAA rules, the reality of the situation is that most of these kids are working hard to support themselves and their families as young adults, and need money to help pay off college loans. With this, the schools set forth the idea of being paid in college in the first place, and it seems that it is never the idea of the athlete to be paid and therefore the entire problem starts with well-educated coaches, brands, etc, that execute these ploys right under the NCAA’s nose.
ReplyDeleteFollowing all this, I struggle with the idea of allowing college athletes to be paid in the first place. Not all colleges can afford to pay every single athlete from every single sport, and if a school decided to only pay certain athletes, or certain sports teams, that would create an unfair divide in the student community. Every kid in college is working hard to pay off loans, support themselves and loved ones, and figure out their path in life. If we were to pay athletes, it would discourage those that do not play sports to come to the school in the first place. On the other hand, I do think there are some benefits to paying college athletes. They dedicate time and hard work to the sport they play, on top of their education and school responsibilities. Beyond this, they also provide entertainment and without players, there would be no team to watch. Without a team to watch, schools end up losing a lot of money that they earn from ticket sales and so forth. I think this topic should be brought to light and be debated in a formal aspect, but for right now I think paying college athletes will only cause more of a disturbance in terms of inequality in school communities.
As for what Lebron said, I agree. The NCAA is a rigid organization that seems to stand by their rules and beliefs time after time again. The organization was set in place to represent college athletes, who have been recruited to a school to play, not to be paid a salary that potentially matches professional athletes. The idea of having a NBA minor league seems like a potentially good idea, but would that destroy the NCAA? Athletes have played under the organization for years, and it is well-respected. It seems like a good idea from the surface, but I think it would be really challenging to execute as well as get athletes and schools to turn their backs to the NCAA.
Colleges who illegally pay current players or recruits should be fined heavily and have their ties with sponsors such as Adidas cut. It is not fair to bench or punish players in anyway. Asking a high school recruit (who in a lot of cases isn’t financially stable enough to afford basic necessities in college) to not accept a bribe to attend a world renowned University to play a sport they love is too much to ask. Any teenager would take that opportunity if given to them, especially when it is such a common practice and involves aggressive targeting from elite companies, coaches, and agents. However, the colleges participating in this illegal recruiting along with the NCAA, agents, youth sport leagues, and sponsors should be punished. Whether it be firing executives, lawsuits, or heavy fines they need to take action. If they don’t take action colleges sports and the NCAA will continue to corrupt and ruin college sports.
ReplyDeleteColleges athletes should not be punished for accepting money. In a system that illegal recruiting is such a common practice with no punishments administers, you cannot blame high school students for taking this money along to provide for their families and themselves. Life can be very hard for a financially unstable student at an expensive university in terms of affording food and other necessities, so they money can actually help them a great deal. Also, many top student athletes don’t reep the same education as many of the other students at the university so their education tainted by their sport won’t really benefit them much in the future but a big check will.
If you pay one sport you must pay them all. I don’t know how the NCAA will determine the pay distribution between sports, but you cannot just pay one sport. It would be moral to only pay the sport that gets the most attention.
I won’t be surprised if an NBA minor league will be incorporated and become more popular, but I would love to see the NCAA make effort to correct their ways so we can give these kids a proper education and an ability to proper their career in sports. Many student athletes don’t get the chance to succeed so I would love for them to get an education they can fall back on if they cannot make it to the league to make a living.
I think that colleges should be punished for paying or rewarding their athletes. There are several ways one can go about these punishments. I find that the most effective is is disqualification from certain tournaments or a number of games. I think that they should not be able to compete in March Madness games. Though, there should be another punishment for the athletes accepting the pay. I think that this has been a hot topic and often hidden from the spotlight. I think more people need to address these issues, and take matters seriously. If it is not taken seriously it will continue to happen and easy to get away with. Because these athletes have not made it to the NBA they do not need to be paid millions of dollars per year to play college level. I think that there are several questions about how much players would be paid at this level if it were allowed. Sometimes these athletes need the money to support their family or other relatives, however it would not be fair to allow this.
ReplyDeleteThey shouldn't be able to play in big tournaments, maybe even lose big games of theirs and should be kept from certain top talent. I don't think the individual players should be punished for taking money because in many cases, this is the first real check these guys or maybe their families have ever gotten from this. With that, the NCAA has to do things to make sure that stuff like this never happens again. Whether it's punishments, expelling those who were involved, or whatever they may decide... Actions need to be taken to prevent this from happening. College athletes shouldn't be paid, even if they make their school money. The school is bringing them in in many cases, on scholarship as their pay is their eduction. It would get far too complicated if certain sports were getting paid, men v women, etc etc.... I would suggest the schools stay away from it all together. In regards to LeBron's statement, I think giving these athletes (especially in the major 4 sports) an alternative or just more options within the NCAA, is huge and something that should already be a thing.
ReplyDeleteColleges that are paying players should be punished, as it is illegal. I feel that the schools who are caught paying players should be disqualified from tournaments, such as March Madness. While that is pretty harsh and would upset lots of fans, I think that this punishment would really show the message of how seriously the NCAA is taking this violation, and serves as an harsh example of how strict the NCAA will be in the future with this violation. Although I do feel that a lot of the kids who accept money have been misinformed or manipulated into thinking it was legal, I do feel that the kids should be punished as well for taking the money. As I mentioned before, it is illegal in the NCAA to pay players, so these players should know better than that. I personally feel that college athletes should be paid, I feel that it is way too difficult of a task to ever happen. Once you agree to pay players, you are going to have to find a system that works, such as paying certain players or certain sports more. There really is no perfect solution to the question, so most people would probably agree that it would just be easier to keep it the way that it is. I think that Lebron's idea of giving kids another option besides the NCAA would be a good option since it allows these athletes to earn money while not violating any regulations. The NCAA should not be the only route to the NBA, especially when college really isn't for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe colleges should be punished for paying athletes. The athletes absolutely deserve the money as they are the reason the school makes the money. The athletes should also not be punished as their college basketball career is basically their job while in college. It only makes sense to get payed for doing a job well. Being punished will only make the players not want to play, especially if they are supporting their family with the money they make. I believe that yes, all college athletes should be payed, especially if their sport is a large source of revenue for their school. This money, If not given directly to the athletes, should at least go towards athletics facilities or other team materials. It is unfair to take the money away from the students who create the revenue in the first place. Creating a minor league as Lebron suggested could be a good idea for those who would prefer money over playing for their school, however, it could also take away from college basketball, as many players would leave the college league.
ReplyDeleteI think that the NCAA should be punishing coaches and teams that break the rules and choose to pay athletes to lure them to their team. Although morally this might not be an issue, it is currently a rule that you must obey in the NCAA. I do not think that the college athletes who accept money should be punished. It's very hard for teens our age to turn down suh an enticing offer to do something that you love. The fact that schools pounce on the vulnerable like that is wrong-doing on their end. I do not think all college athletes should be played regardless of their sport. Some sports are more competitive than others (Comepetitive to make the team) and require a higher level of experience and skill to make the team. This being said, I do think that some college athletes deserve sufficent pay for their time investment and skill.
ReplyDeleteI do believe colleges should be punished for paying their athletes in the form of taking away the school’s chances for titles in the post season. However, I do not think the individual athlete should be punished harshly. These players are only kids and may really need that source of income for their families. Depending on the situation, the athlete could maybe be suspended from the program for a little potentially. In general, I do not think college athletes should be paid. If this were the case, so many issues revolving gender inequality, pay difference, etc would surface. But if college athletes do start getting paid, players from all sports should reap the benefits. In terms of Lebron’s idea, I believe that could be a great option for young adult athletes to make some money. The only issue with this is that some of the best college athletes may not go to college anymore taking away from the thrill that is NCAA sports.
ReplyDeleteThe colleges should be punished with the rules in place, but the rules in place should be changed. The NCAA is a multi billion dollar industry, and the athletes or the employees are making no money and are being exploited. I believe that the rules are going to change sooner rather than later, especially because of the recent scandal the NCAA just went through. The NCAA’s glaring holes are in the national spotlight. I believe the athletes should only be punished in certain situations. If the athlete accepts a large sum of cash like Deandre Ayton is being accused of, then maybe that can be punishable. But that is a whole lot different then a player being punished for going out to lunch. The rules are crazy, and there should differentially be a defined difference between the two. With the conversation of which athletes should be paid I don't really know, but I definitely know a college golfer should not be paid like a college football player or basketball player.
ReplyDeleteI first started out against college players getting played but after some thought and time I have decided that I don't think it's a bad thing if athletes get paid. If anyone gets punished for these scandals it should not be the players it should be the schools. The players are not the ones who are saying that they won't play if they don't get paid. I think college players should get paid but it depends on the sport. I think that because not all sports at schools make the same amount of money. If anything athletes may get paid but it won't be the same amount that football or basketball players would make. Overall I don't think there is a bad thing about paying athletes. Even if it's illegal, colleges will still find a way to pay athletes no matter what so may as well make it legal because it's not gonna stop.
ReplyDeleteI think that colleges should be punished for paying their athletes because I believe that playing for you school and your teammates is what makes college sports so much more special than the professional sports in which it could be argued that players do their sport only for the money. college players deserve a full ride scholarship instead of cash. Even though many already get the full ride, I believe that every athlete that is good enough and was recruited at a young age should get a free education AT LEAST. I believe that they should be rewarded for their talents, however I think that cash is the wrong way to do it. It can blind a group from the passion of the sport and focus too much on the money. If colleges choose to pay their athletes then they have to pay everyone. It cannot be fair to pay a chosen amount of players. If college athletes should get payed then they all will get payed.
ReplyDeleteColleges should be punished with the current rules in place, by not allowing them to play in certain games or not allowing them to qualify or participate in the post season. Although athletes who are accepting this money should not be punished due to the fact that they due deserve to be paid in general for what they do. A large portion of the money being made is coming from players who are participating in the sport. At most for a punishment the athletes could face a suspension, due to accepting sort of a bribe to come play for a school. I believe all colleges should pay their athletes regardless of the sport they play. They have more than enough money to account for every athlete, even if it's not large amounts of pay the lightest amount counts for something.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe colleges should be punished for paying athletes. That is, only if, every athlete is payed. I don't think that these college students should be making millions of dollars and letting money become a factor of where they choose to go to school. I just believe that these athletes, who give their lives to the sport they play, should be provided with some money to live on. Playing a sport results in no time to get a job, and a lot of families struggle to support their children. If the NCAA is making millions upon millions off of these children, than what is the harm in giving them a few hundred dollars each? I do believe that the schools offering bribes should be punished though. Until everyone is supported, schools should not be allowed to pick and choose who they are going to pay. Athletes that accept bribes must know the consequences of their actions, and know that as of now, that's illegal. Hopefully one day college athletes will obtain the slightest respect from the NCAA and get paid even just a fraction of the revenue they bring in.
ReplyDeleteGiven that it is against federal law for colleges to pay athletes, I believe that the punishments given to programs who pay their players are well deserved. With that said, however, the athletes who received extra financial incentives are punished too harshly. While the players are technically breaking NCAA rules, college coaches often take advantage of their tough financial upbringings. For example, Reggie Bush received payments at USC, but his family's financial struggles made accepting money a no-brainer. Due to this phenomenon, I believe that all college athletes should be paid. However, the payment system should be set up in a manner that offers varying degrees of assistance based off of an athletes' financial stability. Thus, rewarding all players for their talents and providing relief to those who need it most.
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