The Pac-12 or Pac-10 soon will not be able to compete with the ESPN/Fox semi-pro league that is starting to crystalize, $10M for a coach, NIL deals worth millions, transfer portals all of which make a sick joke out of the infamous "student athlete." oxymoron. being a Cal grad and someone who bled with season tickets for 35 years I hope one of two things happen...Cal leads the way and gives up football or joins up with other academic institutions out here to form a west coast league of some kind that plays an east coast league on New Years Day in the Rose Bowl. Ask yourself, what is the alternative to all of this for schools like Cal and Stanford? I have decided to no longer watch college football, except a few local games, as what is the point....playing to be in the Las Vegas Bowl or taking the $1M to be cannon fodder for an SEC team? Sad state of affairs.
Why not call it what it is? These college athletes participating in NIL are simply paid professionals, getting experience before they move up from the NCAA to the NFL. OSU, UO and the other PAC 12 schools should refuse to participate in such hypocritical fraud. If that means not being on the national scene or getting into the playoffs, so what?
Let's acknowledge the obvious: when the Supreme Court bitch-slapped the NCAA it opened the door for what has happened since. I think most of us agree compensating players is long overdue. But I do think some measure of regulation is in order.
Guess I’m old fashioned but it seems to me this is a downward spiral that is infecting collegiate athletics. These kids are no longer amateurs. It has become all about money and greed and that has polluted sports at this level. Money and the LIV has ruined watching professional golf. Having the same effect for me on Saturdays. You are wiser than me John but when I read about what’s going on I feel a little sick. Thanks for letting me ramble. And, thanks for your columns keeping us informed!
This is an interesting post. I am not familiar with these collectives, but I am with the new NIL concept. I have been expressing my support for something like an NIL for decades. I thought it was fundamentally unfair to exploit generally financially disadvantaged athletes for the benefit of a wealthy college or university and the entertainment of students and alumni. It had a plantation feel to it. Now that NIL is legal and a reality, just like with the portal, Oregon State has to catch up and play the game. There is no point in reminiscing (and for the Beavs, reminiscing to the 70s and 80s is just painful anyway). Lets get a financially strong "collective" going and bid for these special athletes against the other universities. As long as what they demand is legal, who are we to judge? The kids will get the resources they need to get a leg up in life, even if they don't become academic all-stars, and the university alumni will still be entertained and provided a feeling of pride in their school. It is win-win as far as I am concerned.
I appreciate players being able to be compensated. The sad result is programs like Tennessee and USC have bought their way into playoff contention in less than a year because they are paying more than other schools.
It’s nice to see Daniels and his father got their comeuppance. Even if they got the house and cook, which is doubtful, ending up in West Virginia on a poor team is just rewards. Perhaps they learned too late that it pays to have your priorities in order.
John, I'm sure in the past, you've asked for Coach Smith's opinion on the transfer portal. I'd be curious as to what he said. But....I have to wonder if Coach is falling behind by not giving the portal enough consideration to find a quarterback who can help the team immediately. I'm glad a collective has been formed to help OSU athletes. I just wish they would have created it a year ago. I hope they can catch up and reap the benefits, like Oregon and USC did.
The Pac-12 or Pac-10 soon will not be able to compete with the ESPN/Fox semi-pro league that is starting to crystalize, $10M for a coach, NIL deals worth millions, transfer portals all of which make a sick joke out of the infamous "student athlete." oxymoron. being a Cal grad and someone who bled with season tickets for 35 years I hope one of two things happen...Cal leads the way and gives up football or joins up with other academic institutions out here to form a west coast league of some kind that plays an east coast league on New Years Day in the Rose Bowl. Ask yourself, what is the alternative to all of this for schools like Cal and Stanford? I have decided to no longer watch college football, except a few local games, as what is the point....playing to be in the Las Vegas Bowl or taking the $1M to be cannon fodder for an SEC team? Sad state of affairs.
Why not call it what it is? These college athletes participating in NIL are simply paid professionals, getting experience before they move up from the NCAA to the NFL. OSU, UO and the other PAC 12 schools should refuse to participate in such hypocritical fraud. If that means not being on the national scene or getting into the playoffs, so what?
This kinda makes me sick! It seem out of control already.
Let's acknowledge the obvious: when the Supreme Court bitch-slapped the NCAA it opened the door for what has happened since. I think most of us agree compensating players is long overdue. But I do think some measure of regulation is in order.
Go Ducks.
Guess I’m old fashioned but it seems to me this is a downward spiral that is infecting collegiate athletics. These kids are no longer amateurs. It has become all about money and greed and that has polluted sports at this level. Money and the LIV has ruined watching professional golf. Having the same effect for me on Saturdays. You are wiser than me John but when I read about what’s going on I feel a little sick. Thanks for letting me ramble. And, thanks for your columns keeping us informed!
This is an interesting post. I am not familiar with these collectives, but I am with the new NIL concept. I have been expressing my support for something like an NIL for decades. I thought it was fundamentally unfair to exploit generally financially disadvantaged athletes for the benefit of a wealthy college or university and the entertainment of students and alumni. It had a plantation feel to it. Now that NIL is legal and a reality, just like with the portal, Oregon State has to catch up and play the game. There is no point in reminiscing (and for the Beavs, reminiscing to the 70s and 80s is just painful anyway). Lets get a financially strong "collective" going and bid for these special athletes against the other universities. As long as what they demand is legal, who are we to judge? The kids will get the resources they need to get a leg up in life, even if they don't become academic all-stars, and the university alumni will still be entertained and provided a feeling of pride in their school. It is win-win as far as I am concerned.
Sigh...
Wtf did Nike pay Bo?
It would be nice to see a star player come in and distribute his NIL among the
whole team...better yet if a school decided that was their policy for all players.
There's got to be some hard feelings among players that work just as hard and are
even starters but receive way less.
I appreciate players being able to be compensated. The sad result is programs like Tennessee and USC have bought their way into playoff contention in less than a year because they are paying more than other schools.
Seems like the NFL should be contributing to their minor leagues.
JT + Daddy reminds me of another famous ex-Trojan QB/Daddy duo, Todd and Marv Marinovich. Except JT is allowed to eat sugar.
I hope the Beavers do what WSU is doing and use it to keep the good ones from leaving instead of going for outside guys to the highest bidder.
That’s kinda gross. Why does a college kid need a 4 BR house? Hey, ask and ye shall receive. Eeek.
It’s nice to see Daniels and his father got their comeuppance. Even if they got the house and cook, which is doubtful, ending up in West Virginia on a poor team is just rewards. Perhaps they learned too late that it pays to have your priorities in order.
John, I'm sure in the past, you've asked for Coach Smith's opinion on the transfer portal. I'd be curious as to what he said. But....I have to wonder if Coach is falling behind by not giving the portal enough consideration to find a quarterback who can help the team immediately. I'm glad a collective has been formed to help OSU athletes. I just wish they would have created it a year ago. I hope they can catch up and reap the benefits, like Oregon and USC did.
My prediction: Beavs 42, Cal 24