Those of you who follow High Plains Blogger might know already that I oppose paying college students for playing high-dollar sports such as football and basketball.
I mean, these young people already are getting a free college education because the school where they are enrolled provides them with “full-ride scholarships.” I believe those scholarships are payment enough for these students.
I watched the football game Saturday between the Oregon Ducks and the Penn State Nittany Lions and was struck as I watched every snap of the game how much the announcers referred to players who had entered that “transfer portal” to enable them to play another year or two of football. So many of the higher-profile players have no particular allegiance to the school but are playing for them because the school threw enough money at them to lure them onto their campus.
It’s all about the money … you know?
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel enrolled initially at Central Florida, then transferred to Oklahoma, then transferred again to Oregon. Am I the only sports fan who doesn’t feel as though the game has taken on a mercenary quality.
I still love college football. I prefer it over the pros, a game that is played by multi-millionaires with oversized egos to match their oversized wallets.
However, the college game is beginning to look more like the professional version and it’s a trend I find distressing.
I totally agree with you on this one. It’s reached a point where college football is simply the minor leagues for professional football. Like professional baseball, some make it to the big leagues, some don’t.
Here are some key points I’ve ran across that gives my viewpoint.
* Disrupts Team Stability: Frequent player transfers create instability within programs. Coaches must constantly adjust to roster turnover, making it difficult to build team chemistry and continuity. This can negatively impact on-field performance.
* Undermines the Value of a College Degree: The focus on NIL deals can overshadow the importance of academic pursuits. Athletes may prioritize financial gain over their education, potentially jeopardizing their long-term success.
* Creates an Uneven Playing Field: Wealthier programs with larger NIL collectives can attract top talent, further widening the gap between “haves” and “have-nots” in college football. This can lead to a less competitive and less equitable landscape.
* Harms the Fan Experience: Rapid roster turnover can make it harder for fans to connect with players and follow their favorite teams. It can also lead to a decline in fan interest as the sport becomes less predictable.
* Erodes the Amateur Ideal: College football has traditionally been based on the idea of amateur athletes competing for the love of the game. NIL deals and the transfer portal challenge this notion, raising questions about the commercialization of college sports.
FYI… You may have noticed, or perhaps you didn’t, that I haven’t commented much lately on your Trump posts. I’m going to do my best to refrain from commenting on those posts. You have your opinion and I have mine. It’s obvious we are not going to change the others view on him or his governance. You can’t help being on the wrong side of these issues. 😀😀
Instead, I’m going to try to comment, as I feel compelled, on your non-politically related posts. You are a fantastic writer and I enjoy reading your work. Keep it up.
I appreciate the kind words. “Fantastic” isn’t a term I would use to describe my writing. But I’ll accept it from you. I know I won’t change any minds regarding the next president; nor will anyone change mine. Thank you once again for reading the blog and for livening the conversation with your comments. Merry Christmas.