I recently read an article that suggested that private businesses take over college sports teams and pay the schools for the rights to use the brand name and the stadium. These businesses would hire the coaches and staffs, and also pay the athletes via a collective bargaining agreement, so that the pay scale would essentially be the same across teams (with teams providing food and housing through the host college), at least within the same conference. Essentially, it would replace the minor leagues (e.g. the nba D league) from what I gather.
I liked the idea, but I would add a draft to the equation. Then, kids from HS could enter into the pro draft, and if they did not get picked, would automatically be entered into the "college" draft. Once drafted at the college level, the athlete would be under contract for at least 2 years, and then could be traded by mutual agreement between the players and teams involved. Or, the athlete could re-enter the pro draft with no penalty, and if picked, his college team would receive a compensatory draft pick (perhaps based on a scale of where the player was picked in the pro draft.) Of course, to enhance kids to stay for 4 years, they could receive pay raises based upon both seniority and performance, from a fixed pool formula used uniformly across all teams. That way, kids who stayed on for four years AND played at a high level, could make more money than a kid who merely played backup for the same number of years. Which could also make for potentially interesting trades while keeping a lid on spending.
Finally, I would also include that players could bypass the college draft and choose their own college team by accepting a full ride scholarship to the host college in lieu of pay - which the player would be required to complete before they could enter the pro draft. Perhaps each team would be allotted up to 3 additional roster spots exclusively for student athletes. And if the athlete graduated in less than 4 years, they could either enter the pro draft early, or they could choose another school on a graduate scholarship and play immediately for up to another 2 years, or 5 years total. And if the student athlete dropped out of school before they completed their degree program, they could enter the college draft - but with only their remaining eligibility.
Interesting, huh?
I think that would accomplish multiple things:
1) it would allow colleges to focus on academics while leaving the athletic arms race to businesses that would provide needed cash flow to the schools,
2) it would level the competitive playing field - at least among conference schools, while generating much more overall excitement nationwide,
3) it would finally provide graduated compensation for athletes who really do not want to pursue a college degree, and
4) it would still preserve academic desirability for kids who actually wanted to get a degree by rewarding them with freedom of choice.
I liked the idea, but I would add a draft to the equation. Then, kids from HS could enter into the pro draft, and if they did not get picked, would automatically be entered into the "college" draft. Once drafted at the college level, the athlete would be under contract for at least 2 years, and then could be traded by mutual agreement between the players and teams involved. Or, the athlete could re-enter the pro draft with no penalty, and if picked, his college team would receive a compensatory draft pick (perhaps based on a scale of where the player was picked in the pro draft.) Of course, to enhance kids to stay for 4 years, they could receive pay raises based upon both seniority and performance, from a fixed pool formula used uniformly across all teams. That way, kids who stayed on for four years AND played at a high level, could make more money than a kid who merely played backup for the same number of years. Which could also make for potentially interesting trades while keeping a lid on spending.
Finally, I would also include that players could bypass the college draft and choose their own college team by accepting a full ride scholarship to the host college in lieu of pay - which the player would be required to complete before they could enter the pro draft. Perhaps each team would be allotted up to 3 additional roster spots exclusively for student athletes. And if the athlete graduated in less than 4 years, they could either enter the pro draft early, or they could choose another school on a graduate scholarship and play immediately for up to another 2 years, or 5 years total. And if the student athlete dropped out of school before they completed their degree program, they could enter the college draft - but with only their remaining eligibility.
Interesting, huh?
I think that would accomplish multiple things:
1) it would allow colleges to focus on academics while leaving the athletic arms race to businesses that would provide needed cash flow to the schools,
2) it would level the competitive playing field - at least among conference schools, while generating much more overall excitement nationwide,
3) it would finally provide graduated compensation for athletes who really do not want to pursue a college degree, and
4) it would still preserve academic desirability for kids who actually wanted to get a degree by rewarding them with freedom of choice.
