While probably not directly relevant, I suspect I am far more conservative politically than a number of the crew here -- just as it was over at the old site. I mention this to provide some background. Those on "my side of the fence" moan about the college football seasons being cancelled in the same tones as they decry the injection of politics into professional sports.
While I do not care for the politics in the NBA, MLB, and NFL I am thoroughly on the side of the college players (in all sports) and sincerely believe that these young men and women should be afforded every opportunity to NOT jeopardize their young lives for the sake of fans and revenue.
Part of my reason for this opinion is -- pardon my corny sentiment -- the fact that these are our youth and to put them at risk is very similar to asking our youth to fight and die in an unnecessary war. It seems an unfair sacrifice. But also, there is the question of economics and a quid pro quo contract where education is offered in return for the athletes' performance for school revenue.
I am sorry; for me that does not fly.
Professional NFL, MLB, and NBA athletes are paid handsomely -- even at a minimum six-figure salary level -- to take such risks. They can opt out and sacrifice their salaries if they feel that strongly. However, a year at UCLA is about what? Around $100,000? While that's more than an entry level salary in the workplace, it sure as hell is NOT professional league minimums. Coupled with the fact that they are asked to mostly take video courses and not on campus?
Screw that!
Were I an athletically endowed running back who ran a 4.1 40 or point guard who could ring it up from downtown, I'd sign up for courses at Orange Coast College, buy myself a set of weights, and maintain my health and ability until this whole mess passes over.
We old guys can skip a Fall (or Spring) without heading out to the Rose Bowl or Jackie Robinson stadium. A lot of us have given up the NFL since Kaepernick's specious protests began several years ago. (They strangely coincided with his being benched is my opinion - but that's politics.)
I was - literally - a lifelong Niner fan who went as a kid to see games at Kezar stadium in Golden Gate Park. Now I could care less about the NFL, have absolutely no interest in the NBA and, sadly, MLB is falling into that category as well.
But I really care for these young folks. I do like UCLA athletics (or did before the great Guerrero slide) and enjoy watching the young kids play almost for the love of the game alone! But, as I said above, I would not expect these young men and women to jeopardize their lives just for the sake of my sitting my fat ass on the fifty yard line or mid-court and vicariously root for the old alma mater.
Wordy and not well argued, but that's how I feel. If the kids are getting a free ride at UCLA and sitting out a year then so be it. I don't mind my tax money going for something like that so long as they are safe.
Like the Cub fans used to say: there's always next year!
Well written. A complete failure by those paid the big $$ - Larry Scott, AD’s, and coaches to develop a comprehensive plan protecting players (“student athletes” as we’re repeatedly told) There should have been multiple contingencies in place. Maybe season still would have been postponed but at least they would’ve tried
As you suggest, even if all the executives cared about was there bottom line, they should have made a plan to ensure safety so that the players wouldn't unite and therefore also use the opportunity to raise other serious concerns that could lead to a crumbling of their unfair model.
Dimitri,
I agree.
While probably not directly relevant, I suspect I am far more conservative politically than a number of the crew here -- just as it was over at the old site. I mention this to provide some background. Those on "my side of the fence" moan about the college football seasons being cancelled in the same tones as they decry the injection of politics into professional sports.
While I do not care for the politics in the NBA, MLB, and NFL I am thoroughly on the side of the college players (in all sports) and sincerely believe that these young men and women should be afforded every opportunity to NOT jeopardize their young lives for the sake of fans and revenue.
Part of my reason for this opinion is -- pardon my corny sentiment -- the fact that these are our youth and to put them at risk is very similar to asking our youth to fight and die in an unnecessary war. It seems an unfair sacrifice. But also, there is the question of economics and a quid pro quo contract where education is offered in return for the athletes' performance for school revenue.
I am sorry; for me that does not fly.
Professional NFL, MLB, and NBA athletes are paid handsomely -- even at a minimum six-figure salary level -- to take such risks. They can opt out and sacrifice their salaries if they feel that strongly. However, a year at UCLA is about what? Around $100,000? While that's more than an entry level salary in the workplace, it sure as hell is NOT professional league minimums. Coupled with the fact that they are asked to mostly take video courses and not on campus?
Screw that!
Were I an athletically endowed running back who ran a 4.1 40 or point guard who could ring it up from downtown, I'd sign up for courses at Orange Coast College, buy myself a set of weights, and maintain my health and ability until this whole mess passes over.
We old guys can skip a Fall (or Spring) without heading out to the Rose Bowl or Jackie Robinson stadium. A lot of us have given up the NFL since Kaepernick's specious protests began several years ago. (They strangely coincided with his being benched is my opinion - but that's politics.)
I was - literally - a lifelong Niner fan who went as a kid to see games at Kezar stadium in Golden Gate Park. Now I could care less about the NFL, have absolutely no interest in the NBA and, sadly, MLB is falling into that category as well.
But I really care for these young folks. I do like UCLA athletics (or did before the great Guerrero slide) and enjoy watching the young kids play almost for the love of the game alone! But, as I said above, I would not expect these young men and women to jeopardize their lives just for the sake of my sitting my fat ass on the fifty yard line or mid-court and vicariously root for the old alma mater.
Wordy and not well argued, but that's how I feel. If the kids are getting a free ride at UCLA and sitting out a year then so be it. I don't mind my tax money going for something like that so long as they are safe.
Like the Cub fans used to say: there's always next year!
Well written. A complete failure by those paid the big $$ - Larry Scott, AD’s, and coaches to develop a comprehensive plan protecting players (“student athletes” as we’re repeatedly told) There should have been multiple contingencies in place. Maybe season still would have been postponed but at least they would’ve tried
As you suggest, even if all the executives cared about was there bottom line, they should have made a plan to ensure safety so that the players wouldn't unite and therefore also use the opportunity to raise other serious concerns that could lead to a crumbling of their unfair model.