Panic About to Set In........Unionize College Athletes???

[BigKen]

You had to know that someone, somewhere has been thinking about this for years. Now the ball has started rolling and without question, it's going to pick up speed, get bigger and crush the hell out of the NCAA. There is a movement afoot to start unionizing college athletes. To start it will be football players and then basketball players. The biggest reason for unionizing supposedly, is to protect athletes who get injured and can not or will not be draft into the pros.

Of course the real reason is to get the kids who make the NCAA billions of dollars, yet can't make any money even from a part time jobs, paid for the work (slave labor) that they do annually.

Nothing is rock solid, but it's believed that the union will take 60% of all revenues earned froms tickets sales, concessions and any other direct sales and create a distribution of those funds. Included will be insurance for athletes, including a pension fund that could pay players as much $104,000 annually for life for a career ending injury. Athletes will also receivenmonetary stipends while playing sports in college.

The big question is will the union accept swimmers, track and field and other sports? Will they also get a stipend??

If this union does get a foothold, you know the NCAA is not going to just give up 60% of the $20B a year that it pulls in. What will the NCAA do if they do decide to fight fight it and the athletes go on strike? Take away their scholarships??

 

[Across The Field]

 

[fishinabarrel]

Thought this was already tried and failed?

 

[Wild Turkey]

Thought this was already tried and failed?

Northwestern players tried it and failed.

 

[006]

Bastards already fucked up NCAA football for playstation. Jesus.

 

[Sgt Brutus]

Bastards already fucked up NCAA football for playstation. Jesus.

This is the real loss. Madden doesn't come close to NCAA. Although I'm sure EA would have turned that into a scummy loot box game too.

 

[7Samurai13]

This is the real loss. Madden doesn't come close to NCAA. Although I'm sure EA would have turned that into a scummy loot box game too.

Pay to get Ohio State/Alabama but you get Kent State for free.

 

[Across The Field]

Pay to get Ohio State/Alabama but you get Kent State for free.

Kent State is a fine institution and program.

 

[starbigd]

I may go buy an original Xbox and NCAA 2005-2008 just for the memories......I used to start dynasties with crap schools I created just to get hired into the P5 institutions. One time my small school dominated so badly they kicked Vandy out of the SEC to invite us!

 

[NolePride]

This goes back a lot farther than Northwestern.

The University of Florida tried to form a player's union in 1970. Their All-American
WR, Carlos Alvarez was behind that attempted move.

He was one of Florida's "Super Soph's" in 1969. He and John Reaves and Tommy Durrance
and I believe 6 OL and DL...that went 9-1-1 as Soph's.

It had a great effect on the program. They went 7-4 in 1970 and 4-7 in 1971.

Alvarez did go on to become Mayor of Miami, but he was removed from office before
the end of his term.

 

[Olyduck]

Pay to get Ohio State/Alabama but you get Kent State for free.

na most likely it would be pay for 5* players in recruiting. you know, make it real

 

[PEOPLESCHICKEN]

Northwestern players tried it and failed.

Ya know what? Fuck it, let 'em get paid and unionize. By the way they will also:

1) Lose scholarships and be responsible for their own room and board
2) Pay taxes
3) Negotiate a union contract with their employer (aka the school)
4) Pool funds for their own legal counsel
5) Provide their own healthcare
6) Learn to live on a budget

Yep, let 'em have their way because nothing says responsibility like coddled college athletes

 

[PEOPLESCHICKEN]

This goes back a lot farther than Northwestern.

The University of Florida tried to form a player's union in 1970. Their All-American
WR, Carlos Alvarez was behind that attempted move.

He was one of Florida's "Super Soph's" in 1969. He and John Reaves and Tommy Durrance
and I believe 6 OL and DL...that went 9-1-1 as Soph's.

It had a great effect on the program. They went 7-4 in 1970 and 4-7 in 1971.

Alvarez did go on to become Mayor of Miami, but he was removed from office before
the end of his term.

Removed from office for doing a bang-up job I'm sure

 

[NolePride]

Removed from office for doing a bang-up job I'm sure

You better believe it.

He wasn't going take any lip from that bitch.

 

[tducey]

I think the athletes should get paid, not sure on their being unionized though.

 

[Cyder]

I think the athletes should get paid, not sure on their being unionized though.

The vast majority are getting paid with their scholarship and room and board as they are not going to be going pro. On top of that, it's only football and basketball that actually make money (Probably baseball or hockey in some programs but most don't) and even on those teams all but a couple of players won't be turning pro.

If a basketball player wants to go pro they can play in Europe rather than go to college. However, most realize their draft stock will rise if they stay here and play in college as there is much more exposure and publicity.

Football is tough because most players aren't physically ready after one year of college and there is no European alternative. Sure they get the exposure but they also run a big risk of injury. They should have their scholarships guaranteed in the event of injury.

 

[Myles]

The vast majority are getting paid with their scholarship and room and board as they are not going to be going pro. On top of that, it's only football and basketball that actually make money (Probably baseball or hockey in some programs but most don't) and even on those teams all but a couple of players won't be turning pro.

If a basketball player wants to go pro they can play in Europe rather than go to college. However, most realize their draft stock will rise if they stay here and play in college as there is much more exposure and publicity.

Football is tough because most players aren't physically ready after one year of college and there is no European alternative. Sure they get the exposure but they also run a big risk of injury. They should have their scholarships guaranteed in the event of injury.

I agree with you here.
Those who think they should get paid because they make the NCAA a ton of money are crazy.
Here are the reasons:
It is voluntary. They are not forced to play.
They get paid. A scholarship is huge. They also get a platform in which to show their skills.
They also get a leg up on anyone they are competing for a job against. I deal with lots of sales reps. Some of the worst ones are guys who played ball at local colleges. The name recognition helps allot.

 

[PEOPLESCHICKEN]

The vast majority are getting paid with their scholarship and room and board as they are not going to be going pro. On top of that, it's only football and basketball that actually make money (Probably baseball or hockey in some programs but most don't) and even on those teams all but a couple of players won't be turning pro.

If a basketball player wants to go pro they can play in Europe rather than go to college. However, most realize their draft stock will rise if they stay here and play in college as there is much more exposure and publicity.

Football is tough because most players aren't physically ready after one year of college and there is no European alternative. Sure they get the exposure but they also run a big risk of injury. They should have their scholarships guaranteed in the event of injury.

Many DI football players take out insurance policies for that very reason. Not sure if the school is involved or not?

That being said, its more than just free school. They are getting meals, housing, transportation, healthcare (which almost by itself is gold) and access to tutors, trainers, strength coaches, dieticians

 

[PEOPLESCHICKEN]

Using the average annual tuition amount of $35,000 ($2916/mo) + $437.00 (15% for supplemental costs) a DI college athlete in the major revenue sports (FB & Basketball) would stand to "earn" $3,353/mo.

I would bet over 90% would default on expenses because they would not be capable of managing their personal budget.

 

[starbigd]

I agree with you here.
Those who think they should get paid because they make the NCAA a ton of money are crazy.
Here are the reasons:
It is voluntary. They are not forced to play.
They get paid. A scholarship is huge. They also get a platform in which to show their skills.
They also get a leg up on anyone they are competing for a job against. I deal with lots of sales reps. Some of the worst ones are guys who played ball at local colleges. The name recognition helps allot.

I disagree completely.

I think you guys are nuts.

If you could map DIRECTLY billions of dollars being made off your on field performance.......if YOU are completely the product being sold........YOU WOULD WANT YOUR CUT OF THE PROFITS AS WELL.

If you don't, you're a fool. You're exactly the sucker they want.

Scholarships, benefits don't mean shit. If you are making billions off my effort, I want my piece of the pie.