There have been times when I have watched the national news to see corrupt, greedy, immoral and downright bad regimes toppled by citizens or sometimes a military coup. When I watch, I only wonder when someone will get around to the NCAA?
Other than the International Olympic Committee, the NCAA harbors the biggest group of pirates that do not reside on Wall Street. Over the years this outfit has amassed hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars through TV revenue, merchandise and any other way they can extract a dollar. In exchange, they allow the so-called “student athlete” to trot out and display their skills with the promise of getting a “free” college education.
As the proverbial quote “nothing in life is free” would apply here, the NCAA has exploited college athletes for years. Whenever an athlete raises his hand to question or to buck the system they get slapped with a suspension or, even worse, they stand to lose their eligibility.
Perhaps those days are numbered.
There is a lawsuit underway in California that was filed by former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon. O’Bannon claims that the NCAA used his likeness to gain a profit, starting with a jersey with his name on it. The NCAA uses players likenesses on video games like EAS Sports, which has made a large fortune over the years. Neither O’Bannon nor the other athletes who have now joined in the suit have received one red cent from these sales.
The NCAA has hidden behind a variety of excuses over the years, and none really seem to fit. It is almost as elusive on why there has been no college football playoff for all these years. Then again, this is the NCAA we are talking about, and they have made a living at avoiding the big questions.
Both sides are waiting on a ruling from a California judge on whether this case will be heard as a class action suit where former and current athletes will come from far and near to join in. Many legal experts who are familiar with the case seem to think that if this case is heard as a class action, it could spell the end of the NCAA as we know it.
If that should be the case, then I am all for it. This organization needs to start over. Their leadership is currently under fire from all directions including some of the biggest and most influential conferences in the country. Truth be told, the SEC, Big 10, Big 12, PAC 10, ACC and a couple of other conferences really do not need the NCAA. The rules that they currently live by are antiquated, to say the least, and one-sided. The conferences realize there is more money to be made if the NCAA were to step aside.
Is there a place for the NCAA as a governing body? Yes. Is new leadership needed? No question. If the NCAA loses this lawsuit, college sports will change forever. The word “anarchy” would certainly be used, but it would give college sports the fresh start that is needed. This has gone on too long, where the athlete has not had a real voice, though they are the ones responsible for the billions that the league has made from their skills and images.
Even if the NCAA dodges this bullet, it is the wake up call that is needed. There is a lot of fixing to do here, and now is a good time to start as this will take a while. Suggestions, you ask? See you next week for that.
