This describes what has happened to college football perfectly.

[ArmchairQB]

I love how so much of what the NCAA does, someone eventually comes along and says yeah, that’s not legal. I just yesterday learned about a smackdown they got in the 1980s over what they can’t and can’t tell schools they’re allowed to do with their TV broadcast rights.

NCAA v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I love how so much of what the NCAA does, someone eventually comes along and says yeah, that’s not legal. I just yesterday learned about a smackdown they got in the 1980s over what they can’t and can’t tell schools they’re allowed to do with their TV broadcast rights.

NCAA v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Yes, and from the references of that wiki, the attorney who argued it admits it is what brought the big money into college football and screwed it all up.

It was the schools that were greedy, but everyone wants to blame the players.

Meet the man who thinks he 'screwed up' college football with a Supreme Court win

Andrew Coats, the lawyer who convinced the Supreme Court in 1984 to allow universities to maximize football revenue, leading to a sweeping upheaval today, looks back with regret on the landmark case he successfully argued.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[ArmchairQB]

Yes, and from the references of that wiki, the attorney who argued it admits it is what brought the big money into college football and screwed it all up.

It was the schools that were greedy, but everyone wants to blame the players.

Meet the man who thinks he 'screwed up' college football with a Supreme Court win

Andrew Coats, the lawyer who convinced the Supreme Court in 1984 to allow universities to maximize football revenue, leading to a sweeping upheaval today, looks back with regret on the landmark case he successfully argued.

www.nbcnews.com

Yeah that wiki is a great read. That case is a huge “okay, this is who let the cat out of the bag” moment.

Edit: reading that NBC article now… poor guy. That’s got to suck thinking you’re the one who killed it.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Yeah that wiki is a great read. That case is a huge “okay, this is who let the cat out of the bag” moment.

Edit: reading that NBC article now… poor guy. That’s got to suck thinking you’re the one who killed it.

And not to let us, as older fans, off the hook, I wanted more TV for the Vols. Family, work, life made getting to games harder and the couch easier, so I was 100% with the SEC getting control of the TV rights and expanding TV games.

If I'd been able to see the outcome, I'd gladly listen to the radio instead.

 

[ArmchairQB]

And not to let us, as older fans, off the hook, I wanted more TV for the Vols. Family, work, life made getting to games harder and the couch easier, so I was 100% with the SEC getting control of the TV rights and expanding TV games.

If I'd been able to see the outcome, I'd gladly listen to the radio instead.

My favorite day of Voldom ever is still a day I wasn’t at the stadium or watching TV. I was up at Royal Blue four wheeling and following the whole day on the radio on December 5, 1998. That whole day was one non-stop chain of holy heck this is all going to happen.

Loved this quote from that article you linked:
“We tried at every stage to negotiate an agreement of some kind, to limit what would happen. But we learned the ‘NCAA’ stood for ‘Never Compromise Anything at Anytime’ and they wouldn’t even talk to us,” Coats said.”

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

My favorite day of Voldom ever is still a day I wasn’t at the stadium or watching TV. I was up at Royal Blue four wheeling and following the whole day on the radio on December 5, 1998. That whole day was one non-stop chain of holy heck this is all going to happen.

Loved this quote from that article you linked:
“We tried at every stage to negotiate an agreement of some kind, to limit what would happen. But we learned the ‘NCAA’ stood for ‘Never Compromise Anything at Anytime’ and they wouldn’t even talk to us,” Coats said.”

I had to look it up. I was in Sundquist (which is right there with Royal Blue) about 22-23 years ago for the elk release in mid December.

Cold, awful rainy weather that almost required a 4WD to get in thru the angry little creeks and the Governor wanted his Mom there, and they made that happen for him.

Beautiful piece of God's work up there and that you had radio service there in '98 makes me grin.

 

[will-you-shut-up-man]

I have no problem with the kids getting money to sign autographs, get paid directly by sponsors/having endorsement deals and getting a percentage of jersey/shirt sales. I think if the NCAA did this a long time ago, we wouldn't be in the current situation. That's all the people from the 80's and 90's were asking for.

 

[Voltopia]

I have no problem with the kids getting money to sign autographs, get paid directly by sponsors/having endorsement deals and getting a percentage of jersey/shirt sales. I think if the NCAA did this a long time ago, we wouldn't be in the current situation. That's all the people from the 80's and 90's were asking for.

That's as may be, but I disagree that we wouldn't be in this situation. It was always going to get to the place it is today. Anything that limited or tried to dictate their ability to accept money was destined to be sued into oblivion. It might have smoothed things over a little longer, but the destination was - and is - inevitable. Once the courts made the decision that the NCAA couldn't use amateurism as a justification for anything (or perhaps, once the schools sued for the right to operate with more commercial freedom in the 80s, whichever), the train was on its way.

On a simplified level, this is easily viewed as two sides of a coin. One side said they were student athletes and subject to regulation by the schools who operated intercollegiate athletics (through the NCAA), and the other side said they are employees performing a job and should be treated as any other employee. Right now people are trying to balance the coin on its side, find some combination of the two, but anything short of the employment side will eventually lead to more lawsuits that flip the coin again, and again, and again, until it eventually lands employment side up. Again, the destination is inevitable.

 

[sami]

I have no problem with the idea of the kids being able to share in the ridiculous amount of revenue this sport produces for the schools, and I would guess that most people feel the same way. To me, the far bigger issue is the transfer portal, which is the thing that can really hurt the game if it is allowed to continue in the out of control way it currently is.

I'm not sure that anything can be done at this point that would stand up in court, as the NCAA blew their chance to get out in front of this ages ago, much the same way as they do every issue. But if they could somehow limit it to one free transfer, and from there a player would have to sit out a year for any subsequent transfers, it might reduce the insanity and instability to some degree.

As it stands, CFB is essentially becoming the same as pro sports, where fans of teams are basically "rooting for the jersey", and there are more fans of individual players and 'fantasy' teams than those who are loyal to their hometown team. The whole idea of a VFL will quickly become all but obsolete. This is a really sad truth to those of us who go back to the '70's-'80's as fans.

 

[Freiwillige]

College is actually even worse than pro sports because pros don't become unrestricted free agents for four years.

2023 NFL free agency explainer: Vital information on franchise tags, contract terms, salary cap and more

The free agency frenzy is a hectic period on the NFL calendar with a language all its own. Fortunately, Anthony Holzman-Escareno has a glossary explaining all of the terms you need to know on franchise tags, contract language, the salary cap and much more

www.nfl.com

 

[cgrish]

Peyton got 11 MILLION DOLLARS JUST TO SIGN, not to play, as a signing bonus. Nothing on the field involved, a signing bonus.

College players can have their scholarships not renewed. They are year by year. They can be dismissed for various reasons but usually they're just benched and leave. Often a kid is recruited over like Harrison Bailey and Maurer were. Bailey had, he may still have at Louisville, an NIL deal.

Schools are interested in the best product. It's about spending money to make money. They offer NIL to get better players so the team is better.

You act as though players weren't paid until NIL started. You know this isn't a new concept. Teams have paid for better players for years. Why bitch about it now?

No complaining, just stateing my opinion. You have your opinion, I have mine; we just disagree, Time will tell who is right.

 

[Mccage]

the boomer generation kicked butt over the Generation Pansies we have today.

And the boomers at least knew they were Men!

 

[Mccage]

The networks have ruined sports. They control the whole shooting match. Look at the salaries the fans are paying. I’m pissed about the whole situation but I can’t quit dipping and I can’t quit watching football. They got us by the balls and laughing all the way to the bank.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

The networks have ruined sports. They control the whole shooting match. Look at the salaries the fans are paying. I’m pissed about the whole situation but I can’t quit dipping and I can’t quit watching football. They got us by the balls and laughing all the way to the bank.

It's not just the networks. The schools sued the NCAA to be able to market those media rights and the conferences have squeezed every dime from the networks. The NCAA, back in the day, wanted to limit media and money in the game.

I'll agree that now the networks have the schools on the hook like junkies and the schools can't fund their massive athletics budget machine without the TV money, so the networks are calling a lot of the shots.

But the schools are neck deep in causing this mess.

 

[Mccage]

Some of us remember when players came to the school and stayed for the team, the loyalty, and being part of something bigger than themselves. If you think the current trend of seeing players quit on teams even while the season is going on, if you think it's fun to watch programs beg/pay, to get a player who just quit on his old team, if you think it's fun seeing all the bowl games that used to mean something now be meaningless because every good player bails either to the portal or to the pros--well it sucks IMHO. This current "ME-ME" generation stinks to the high heavens. Yes, they are ruining the last one thing worth watching in sports.

Dale Jones says Thank You!

 

[Mccage]

Some of us remember when players came to the school and stayed for the team, the loyalty, and being part of something bigger than themselves. If you think the current trend of seeing players quit on teams even while the season is going on, if you think it's fun to watch programs beg/pay, to get a player who just quit on his old team, if you think it's fun seeing all the bowl games that used to mean something now be meaningless because every good player bails either to the portal or to the pros--well it sucks IMHO. This current "ME-ME" generation stinks to the high heavens. Yes, they are ruining the last one thing worth watching in sports.

Some of us remember woolworths

 

[EZE]

First cartoon is missing the truckloads of money being made by coaches, conferences, and broadcasters. Wonder why that’s not a problem.

And the schools.

This is a huge business enterprise.

 

[GetYouSomeofThat]

They also need to put a price on the brand marketing and advertising that comes from being associated with a big name brand. These players wouldn't be worth any NIL money if they didn't put on those college jerseys and represent those teams. They only gain this perceived value when they play for the Tennessees or the Notre Dames of the sport, etc. The school brands are the actual thing of value; that is, people are invested in the performance of the teams, not the players. If it were otherwise, these supposedly put upon players would just leave school entirely and market their NIL rights on their own. If the "Jayden Daniels" brand actually had value, then he'd have no reason to put up with the wicked, evil, oppressive college football environment, right? Just leave college and go sell his brand direct to companies, without worrying about following those pesky NCAA rules.

Oh, what's that? He wouldn't make a dime you say? Huh. Fancy that. Interesting, isn't it?

It's funny how people always complain about how "the NCAA shouldn't restrict player NIL rights," when the fact is no player was ever prevented from selling their rights. A player could have done so whenever they wanted. They could march right out there and sell them today. The only thing they couldn't do was be eligible to play on college teams if they did so, for myriad reasons that are going to become more and more apparent as the sport continues on its current trajectory.

But that said, awful interesting how none of those college ever chose to do that. Awful interesting.

You are presenting a chicken and egg situation.

I am guessing in the future that what we know as collegiate football will morph into a true minor league system. How much revenue will intramural sports bring to the universities? Or how many people are going to support what amounts to D3 athletics?

The money generated by successful football teams directly benefit the non-athletes and education system of the schools. Are alum and fans of the school going to replace that revenue from their pockets?

Coaches have for years made money off of their NIL with outside entities. Coaches that are making far more than the cost of a four year education. And we begrudge the players for expecting the same?

 

[Brave Volunteer]

You are presenting a chicken and egg situation.

I am guessing in the future that what we know as collegiate football will morph into a true minor league system. How much revenue will intramural sports bring to the universities? Or how many people are going to support what amounts to D3 athletics?

The money generated by successful football teams directly benefit the non-athletes and education system of the schools. Are alum and fans of the school going to replace that revenue from their pockets?

Coaches have for years made money off of their NIL with outside entities. Coaches that are making far more than the cost of a four year education. And we begrudge the players for expecting the same?

You're thinking too small. It won't be a minor league system. With the revenue college football is generating and will continue to generate, eventually college players could earn huge salaries and it could actually compete with the NFL. If "student" athletes eventually become contract employees of the university, then all bets are off! They won't be beholden to meeting academic standards and they won't be limited to 4 years of eligibility. It's conceivable that we see a future where certain players could have long-term careers as athletes playing for a university beyond 4 years, just like NFL players do. It's conceivable that major college football will become, not a farm system for the NFL, but an alternative career path and a true competitor!

 

[SpookyAction]

I found this opinion column interesting.
It doesn't even address NIL and the Transfer Portal, yet lays out the trap CFB is setting up for itself.
It discusses how TV Executives are calling all the shots now, and they are leading the push for an NFL-lite bipolar model.

And something many forum members are not thinking about: the new EA College Football video game (the first since 2013, when the image and likeness lawsuit) will be like an earthquake for CFB. The first major advertising for the game is going to be during the Championship game Monday night. Not only will players be paid for their image and likeness (ala Madden and the FIFA games), but there is so much pent up demand for the game, it is likely to push college football to a new level of popularity. I see what they are saying. I teach at a K-8 school. The kids are always talking about NFL players and teams, not because they watch the games (they usually don't), but due to the Madden game. A lot of kids today base their team loyalties based on the Madden game, and that is a likely spinoff from this game.

I can attest to the pent-up demand for the game. I bought my son the 2013 EA CFB game about 5 years ago. It was over $100 because it still has a large and dedicated base of active players who create updated rosters for download each season. I hoped it would shift his priorities from NFL (because of the Madden game he and his friends played) to UT Vols and it worked beautifully.

Opinion: Welcome to the end of college football as we know it

 

[turbovol]

First cartoon is missing the truckloads of money being made by coaches, conferences, and broadcasters. Wonder why that’s not a problem.

Because you seem to forget: The players are SUPPOSED to be students. Big difference.

 

[VolTull]

Just wait. You’ll see. This is just in its infancy stage. It’s gonna destroy the love of the game

Sometimes the old GF goes away. A new one emerges. It's a matter of choice whether you bed the new one or not.

 

[turbovol]

You're thinking too small. It won't be a minor league system. With the revenue college football is generating and will continue to generate, eventually college players could earn huge salaries and it could actually compete with the NFL. If "student" athletes eventually become contract employees of the university, then all bets are off! They won't be beholden to meeting academic standards and they won't be limited to 4 years of eligibility. It's conceivable that we see a future where certain players could have long-term careers as athletes playing for a university beyond 4 years, just like NFL players do. It's conceivable that major college football will become, not a farm system for the NFL, but an alternative career path and a true competitor!

Football at some point should be split off from the universities altogether because it won't be a college function anymore. It is fast become a professional business masquerading as college. It's using the veneer of "college"--with the ivy-covered walls and the marching bands etc. as a cover for an out-of-control sports business. How long can that go on?

What is the academic side of a university getting from football? It does get a few things, apparently. For one thing, there is the prestige factor when the football team is successful. (Only in America!) Applications go up at universities that have successful football/athletic programs. That is funny, crazy, if you think about: "I applied to Michigan because they've got a good football program." We laugh, but it is very true. I suspect the academic side derives other benefits as well---probably more alumni contributions when the football team is doing well, etc.---but clearly the distance between the football program and the academic side is growing. Clearly a lot of the football players don't give a whit about the academic or true college side. That's been true for a long time, and I suspect it will be getting even worse. It's hard to take academics seriously if you are 19 years old and having a lot of money thrown at you to play football and you're spending a lot of time working to promote your "brand." How ridiculous, really.

 

[VolTull]

The networks have ruined sports. They control the whole shooting match. Look at the salaries the fans are paying. I’m pissed about the whole situation but I can’t quit dipping and I can’t quit watching football. They got us by the balls and laughing all the way to the bank.

Never dipped, can't comment. "I can’t quit watching football" is true only if you believe it to be so. Once you examine that belief, and find it no longer useful, you can change it with no sweat.

 

[hUTch2002]

Because they’re not getting a $200,000 plus education for free . Not to mention the extra benefits, food ,& lodging.

I will say that my freshman year you could still eat at Gibbs (athletes dorm for those that didn’t attend UT) and that food was WAY better than the food at any other spot on campus. That alone is worth about $1M dollars (or at least $1M Spacebucks).