NCAA players begin to unionize

[32vfromhell]

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2014/01/28/college-athletes-take-step-toward-forming-labor-union/

[GrayStangGT]

As much as I dislike some of the actions of the NCAA, I whole heatedly disagree with the student athletes on this issue. College sports should be about the experience, possible free education and chance for a professional future regardless of the money made by the university.

[YALE]

As much as I dislike some of the actions of the NCAA, I whole heatedly disagree with the student athletes on this issue. College sports should be about the experience, possible free education and chance for a professional future regardless of the money made by the university.

And if they get hurt playing college ball and can't play the professional version of their sport, they're stuck out? Even if their sport brings in piles of cash for the university? Business interns get paid, are covered by workman's comp, and can even receive benefits in some circumstances. Why can't the folks making money for their universities enjoy the same level of support?

[GrayStangGT]

And if they get hurt playing college ball and can't play the professional version of their sport, they're stuck out?

Granted I haven't done a ton of research on this, but I do know that the truly talented that are likely to go pro are insured for such an occasion. In addition this is why I rarely root for an athlete to stay in college if they have the opportunity to go pro, make the cash and you can always go back to college.

[slow99]

In addition this is why I rarely root for an athlete to stay in college if they have the opportunity to go pro, make the cash and you can always go back to college.

Word on that.

I remember that Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy each took out insurance policies with Lloyd's to protect them against injury when they came back instead of declaring for the draft.

[Chuck_Finley]

And if they get hurt playing college ball and can't play the professional version of their sport, they're stuck out? Even if their sport brings in piles of cash for the university? Business interns get paid, are covered by workman's comp, and can even receive benefits in some circumstances. Why can't the folks making money for their universities enjoy the same level of support?

Agreed, and as much as I hate unions, I'm on the fence on this issue precisely because of what you stated. Athletes bringing in serious $$$ for a university, getting very little, perhaps nothing, out of it and no sort of compensation in they're seriously injured. Hell no compensation at all. Look at how much cash pours into college games all over the country.

[Silverback]

they get a free education, provide an income stream that allows others to get an education, as well as pay for all the sports no one cares about, like Women's anything...

None of these guys were hired as employees to do a job, nor do they act as employees.

If they want to get paid, go pro.

While interns get paid (some of them), it's next to nothing, probably less than some of these guys get in tuition, housing, food, clothing, etc.

[32vfromhell]

I really liked the documentary "Schooled - The price of college sports" . It opened my eyes somewhat on how this all goes down.

The whole term "student athelete" was invented by the NCAA to cover their asses.

[Nash B.]

they get a free education, provide an income stream that allows others to get an education, as well as pay for all the sports no one cares about, like Women's anything...

None of these guys were hired as employees to do a job, nor do they act as employees.

If they want to get paid, go pro.

While interns get paid (some of them), it's next to nothing, probably less than some of these guys get in tuition, housing, food, clothing, etc.

All of this.

[lowthreeohz]

agree with matt 100%. this is not their job, regardless of any cash flow it provides a university.

[Pro88LX]

if they dont like it, join the chess club.

[YALE]

they get a free education, provide an income stream that allows others to get an education, as well as pay for all the sports no one cares about, like Women's anything...

None of these guys were hired as employees to do a job, nor do they act as employees.

If they want to get paid, go pro.

While interns get paid (some of them), it's next to nothing, probably less than some of these guys get in tuition, housing, food, clothing, etc.

Not really football or basketball. They tread water through easy courses, and leave ASAP to go pro. The bulk of their efforts goes to their sport, and they bring in the dollars that their athletic departments use to put other kids through school, even though they don't put butts in seats. That's the whole reason to offer a kid a scholarship in the first place. He raises the school's brand. Hell, a lot of schools spend more on resources to enforce NCAA rules than they do on scholarship athletes. UT's department that watches scholarship athletes has 30 people making $100k+ a year. That's pretty out of whack.

[Silverback]

What's the percentage of student athletes that leave early with no degree vs those that earn a bachelors and even masters while playing football?

I'm going to say it's very small in comparison.