By: Jean Louis Jr
Broken down to its very fabric; it is a simple story between the haves and the have nots; the story of college athletes and workers compensation. With the news this past week, they might have just found a remedy.
The state of California cleared the Senate Bill 206; a bill that would permit athletes to use their likeness in order to make money, while keeping their scholarships. Currently awaiting a vote from the full California State Assembly, it has been the talk of the town through many airwaves—from debate shows, to barbershops. Yet we have got no greater takes than from the athletes themselves, namely LeBron James and Tim Tebow.
James, an NBA superstar who turned pro straight from high school, rallied support in favor of the bill. Calling it a “gamechanger”, he cited that the young men and women can finally “get paid for what they do and the billions they create.” This garnered a lot of support, echoing the same sentiments. On the flip side however, former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow feared that aspect of amateurism would be compromised by the bill.
In his most recent interview on First Take, he implied that athletes should play for the pride of the teams and universities, not for the money. Tebow’s main issue was that it would no longer be about “we” the fans or alumni, but about the stars themselves—something becoming of a “selfish society”.
So which way is the best way? The old school of thought, or the new? Unfortunately, it will never be cut and dry. Yet considering the limited amount of scholarships provided to athletes, they deserve more regardless.
For an athlete to train, perform, and be broadcasted as if a pro– yet labeled an amateur, is unreasonable. In their shoes, we would want the financial security that our talent deserves. This idea has long been recognized. In the recent edition of the NBA 2K’s story mode, it features an underlying story of a player who lost his scholarship following an injury. The producer? LeBron James. A subliminal message about athletes who can’t choose their fate, seen through a gaming console; the story that is athletes being promoted for others profit.
Just mere months ago, fanfare for a returning Zion Williamson had piqued such interest in the college basketball world, that tickets for the Duke-UNC rivalry game reached up to $4,000.
The NCAA tournament just last year garnered $1 billion, with $900 in revenue (90% of the NCAA’s annual revenue). Commercials hyped games. Bets had taken place. Segments of debate shows were dedicated to these events. Not to mention the clientele that comes to watch them live: Barack Obama, Trey Young, and James, amongst others. All of them came with vested eyes to watch. And none of it can be given back to the players.
What happens if they have it all? If players reap the fruits of their labor? In the pros, players see themselves as investments. They sit out games, All-Star festivities, even Olympic games in order to protect themselves. They have contract disputes that lead to moves into major markets, as team loyalty and competition take hits as a result. The passing of the bill could see a new association, with different markets—starting in California, acquiring more big-name high school athletes simply because the money is there.
Even still, you have to trust the legacy already built by the schools and trust players to maintain it. All athletes have a purpose and come from different backgrounds. To be “selfish” is to not accommodate them accordingly. If they “pay for play”, perhaps stars will begin to stay. Imagine the rivalry and revenue that could be drawn from kids remaining in school. It may do more harm than good, but for student-athletes, to remedy issues like one & done or tampering, it is the risk that the NCAA should be willing to take.
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