A start-up basketball league, hoping to compete with the NCAA, announces TV deal
By Ben Strauss
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...avid-west/
This is an 18+ league.
We live in crazy times. Should make Dansplaining happy. . Want to get paid while in college?
(04-22-2021 05:52 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]A start-up basketball league, hoping to compete with the NCAA, announces TV deal
By Ben Strauss
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...avid-west/
This is an 18+ league.
We live in crazy times. Should make Dansplaining happy. . Want to get paid while in college?
It makes me very happy! My labor friendly and liberal fellow poster Dan has always made compelling points about NCAA player compensation. The salience of his arguments, however, depended on the fact that NBA and NFL career paths required some NCAA participation that the MLB and NHL do not. You wanna make money now, then go here.
Oh bye the way I think they educational stipend is quite a nice mirage benefit. I doubt any players attracted to this league have any educational aspirations.
(04-22-2021 07:01 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: [ -> ] (04-22-2021 05:52 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]A start-up basketball league, hoping to compete with the NCAA, announces TV deal
By Ben Strauss
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...avid-west/
This is an 18+ league.
We live in crazy times. Should make Dansplaining happy. . Want to get paid while in college?
It makes me very happy! My labor friendly and liberal fellow poster Dan has always made compelling points about NCAA player compensation. The salience of his arguments, however, depended on the fact that NBA and NFL career paths required some NCAA participation that the MLB and NHL do not. You wanna make money now, then go here.
Oh bye the way I think they educational stipend is quite a nice mirage benefit. I doubt any players attracted to this league have any educational aspirations.
Yeah, mostly a PR item (educational stipend). Surprised they didn't include annual Covid booster shots, if available.
BTW, this league will probably never get off the ground. The Wizards are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Monday they put on tickets for 7 home games. 2,100 tickets per game. Total ~15K tickets. There are STILL tickets left. I thought 15K tickets could be gone in 5 minutes (ala opening day).
Will anyone want to watch nameless teams with nameless players?
(04-22-2021 07:13 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (04-22-2021 07:01 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: [ -> ] (04-22-2021 05:52 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]A start-up basketball league, hoping to compete with the NCAA, announces TV deal
By Ben Strauss
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...avid-west/
This is an 18+ league.
We live in crazy times. Should make Dansplaining happy. . Want to get paid while in college?
It makes me very happy! My labor friendly and liberal fellow poster Dan has always made compelling points about NCAA player compensation. The salience of his arguments, however, depended on the fact that NBA and NFL career paths required some NCAA participation that the MLB and NHL do not. You wanna make money now, then go here.
Oh bye the way I think they educational stipend is quite a nice mirage benefit. I doubt any players attracted to this league have any educational aspirations.
Yeah, mostly a PR item (educational stipend). Surprised they didn't include annual Covid booster shots, if available.
BTW, this league will probably never get off the ground. The Wizards are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Monday they put on tickets for 7 home games. 2,100 tickets per game. Total ~15K tickets. There are STILL tickets left. I thought 15K tickets could be gone in 5 minutes (ala opening day).
Will anyone want to watch nameless teams with nameless players?
Here's my theory: if this league is even sort of successful the NCAA will start paying players in order to retain the better talent.
(04-23-2021 06:46 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (04-22-2021 07:13 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (04-22-2021 07:01 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: [ -> ] (04-22-2021 05:52 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]A start-up basketball league, hoping to compete with the NCAA, announces TV deal
By Ben Strauss
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...avid-west/
This is an 18+ league.
We live in crazy times. Should make Dansplaining happy. . Want to get paid while in college?
It makes me very happy! My labor friendly and liberal fellow poster Dan has always made compelling points about NCAA player compensation. The salience of his arguments, however, depended on the fact that NBA and NFL career paths required some NCAA participation that the MLB and NHL do not. You wanna make money now, then go here.
Oh bye the way I think they educational stipend is quite a nice mirage benefit. I doubt any players attracted to this league have any educational aspirations.
Yeah, mostly a PR item (educational stipend). Surprised they didn't include annual Covid booster shots, if available.
BTW, this league will probably never get off the ground. The Wizards are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Monday they put on tickets for 7 home games. 2,100 tickets per game. Total ~15K tickets. There are STILL tickets left. I thought 15K tickets could be gone in 5 minutes (ala opening day).
Will anyone want to watch nameless teams with nameless players?
Here's my theory: if this league is even sort of successful the NCAA will start paying players in order to retain the better talent.
Dan, the NCAA does not need superior talent. A Patrick Ewing does not spend four years in college today nor do Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Sam Perkins play multiple years together at N Carolina. Coach K at Duke won five National Championships with senior laden rosters. That is not the world today.
The talent gap between the NBA and the NCAA has widened considerably over the past twenty years, today it often takes a first round draft pick a couple of years to actually become a contributor when in the past they started immediately.
The point of this is, NCAA basketball quality has diminished recently but interest has not, I would see zero reason to pay superior players to stay. Fan interest is still strong despite the diluted product. I would be more worried if I saw a Baylor-Gonzaga title game rematch next year where Drew Timme was playing for Baylor instead of Gonzaga. With the current transfer situation it could happen and that would be problematic for the sport.
Oh bye the way Steve, you are 100% correct, this league has little chance of success. Nevertheless I love the idea of having avenues for young men to pursue a professional career without the NCAA.
I hope that this league will succeed for those that want to get paid for play and could care less about a college education.
(04-24-2021 07:46 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote: [ -> ]I hope that this league will succeed for those that want to get paid for play and could care less about a college education.
But how does the business plan work?
Would anyone pay to watch the Maumee Maulers play the Milan Mules in such a game?
Even if the teams were associated with big(ger) cities would anyone want to pay to watch teams from Detroit and Cleveland play?
What makes sports work is the identification. 1980 U.S. hockey team vs. the Soviets. National teams vs national teams in soccer next year. UofM vs. MSU. Knicks vs. Nets. Packers vs. Bears. Patriots vs. the world.
(04-23-2021 05:52 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: [ -> ] (04-23-2021 06:46 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (04-22-2021 07:13 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (04-22-2021 07:01 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: [ -> ] (04-22-2021 05:52 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]A start-up basketball league, hoping to compete with the NCAA, announces TV deal
By Ben Strauss
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/20...avid-west/
This is an 18+ league.
We live in crazy times. Should make Dansplaining happy. . Want to get paid while in college?
It makes me very happy! My labor friendly and liberal fellow poster Dan has always made compelling points about NCAA player compensation. The salience of his arguments, however, depended on the fact that NBA and NFL career paths required some NCAA participation that the MLB and NHL do not. You wanna make money now, then go here.
Oh bye the way I think they educational stipend is quite a nice mirage benefit. I doubt any players attracted to this league have any educational aspirations.
Yeah, mostly a PR item (educational stipend). Surprised they didn't include annual Covid booster shots, if available.
BTW, this league will probably never get off the ground. The Wizards are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Monday they put on tickets for 7 home games. 2,100 tickets per game. Total ~15K tickets. There are STILL tickets left. I thought 15K tickets could be gone in 5 minutes (ala opening day).
Will anyone want to watch nameless teams with nameless players?
Here's my theory: if this league is even sort of successful the NCAA will start paying players in order to retain the better talent.
Dan, the NCAA does not need superior talent. A Patrick Ewing does not spend four years in college today nor do Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Sam Perkins play multiple years together at N Carolina. Coach K at Duke won five National Championships with senior laden rosters. That is not the world today.
The talent gap between the NBA and the NCAA has widened considerably over the past twenty years, today it often takes a first round draft pick a couple of years to actually become a contributor when in the past they started immediately.
The point of this is, NCAA basketball quality has diminished recently but interest has not, I would see zero reason to pay superior players to stay. Fan interest is still strong despite the diluted product. I would be more worried if I saw a Baylor-Gonzaga title game rematch next year where Drew Timme was playing for Baylor instead of Gonzaga. With the current transfer situation it could happen and that would be problematic for the sport.
Oh bye the way Steve, you are 100% correct, this league has little chance of success. Nevertheless I love the idea of having avenues for young men to pursue a professional career without the NCAA.
This is just absurd. The NCAA creates a better project with better players (workers). If there is a competing League (Business) that starts meaningfully poaching good players that would otherwise play in the NCAA then the NCAA will have to adapt in order to maintain the quality of the product. This is true even of one and dones. College Basketball was better because Blake Griffen or Zion Williamson or Kevin Durant played even one season.
Think about the USFL or WHA or ABA. It was problematic for those leagues to lose those players.
As for player movement being a detriment to the college game - i dont see coaches being able to pick up and leave at a moments notice wrecking the game so i doubt players having rights would either.
(04-24-2021 01:26 PM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (04-23-2021 05:52 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: [ -> ] (04-23-2021 06:46 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (04-22-2021 07:13 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (04-22-2021 07:01 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: [ -> ]It makes me very happy! My labor friendly and liberal fellow poster Dan has always made compelling points about NCAA player compensation. The salience of his arguments, however, depended on the fact that NBA and NFL career paths required some NCAA participation that the MLB and NHL do not. You wanna make money now, then go here.
Oh bye the way I think they educational stipend is quite a nice mirage benefit. I doubt any players attracted to this league have any educational aspirations.
Yeah, mostly a PR item (educational stipend). Surprised they didn't include annual Covid booster shots, if available.
BTW, this league will probably never get off the ground. The Wizards are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Monday they put on tickets for 7 home games. 2,100 tickets per game. Total ~15K tickets. There are STILL tickets left. I thought 15K tickets could be gone in 5 minutes (ala opening day).
Will anyone want to watch nameless teams with nameless players?
Here's my theory: if this league is even sort of successful the NCAA will start paying players in order to retain the better talent.
Dan, the NCAA does not need superior talent. A Patrick Ewing does not spend four years in college today nor do Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Sam Perkins play multiple years together at N Carolina. Coach K at Duke won five National Championships with senior laden rosters. That is not the world today.
The talent gap between the NBA and the NCAA has widened considerably over the past twenty years, today it often takes a first round draft pick a couple of years to actually become a contributor when in the past they started immediately.
The point of this is, NCAA basketball quality has diminished recently but interest has not, I would see zero reason to pay superior players to stay. Fan interest is still strong despite the diluted product. I would be more worried if I saw a Baylor-Gonzaga title game rematch next year where Drew Timme was playing for Baylor instead of Gonzaga. With the current transfer situation it could happen and that would be problematic for the sport.
Oh bye the way Steve, you are 100% correct, this league has little chance of success. Nevertheless I love the idea of having avenues for young men to pursue a professional career without the NCAA.
This is just absurd. The NCAA creates a better project with better players (workers). If there is a competing League (Business) that starts meaningfully poaching good players that would otherwise play in the NCAA then the NCAA will have to adapt in order to maintain the quality of the product. This is true even of one and dones. College Basketball was better because Blake Griffen or Zion Williamson or Kevin Durant played even one season.
Think about the USFL or WHA or ABA. It was problematic for those leagues to lose those players.
As for player movement being a detriment to the college game - i dont see coaches being able to pick up and leave at a moments notice wrecking the game so i doubt players having rights would either.
I followed the USFL and they were able to have a similar, albeit inferior product (although the product was actually pretty good).
This isn't like that. This isn't the NJ Generals vs. N.Y Giants.
This is more like the Milan Maulers vs. UofM Wolverines. Milan Maulers would draw 'family and friends.'
BTW, I should quit picking on Milan. "This season, all of the games will take place in suburban Washington, D.C., but by next year Volante hopes to have teams playing in eight cities, several of them in the Mid-Atlantic region."
So we could have one in say Alexandria, Arlington, Bethesda, College Park, Fairfax, etc.
(04-24-2021 01:58 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (04-24-2021 01:26 PM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (04-23-2021 05:52 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: [ -> ] (04-23-2021 06:46 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (04-22-2021 07:13 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah, mostly a PR item (educational stipend). Surprised they didn't include annual Covid booster shots, if available.
BTW, this league will probably never get off the ground. The Wizards are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Monday they put on tickets for 7 home games. 2,100 tickets per game. Total ~15K tickets. There are STILL tickets left. I thought 15K tickets could be gone in 5 minutes (ala opening day).
Will anyone want to watch nameless teams with nameless players?
Here's my theory: if this league is even sort of successful the NCAA will start paying players in order to retain the better talent.
Dan, the NCAA does not need superior talent. A Patrick Ewing does not spend four years in college today nor do Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Sam Perkins play multiple years together at N Carolina. Coach K at Duke won five National Championships with senior laden rosters. That is not the world today.
The talent gap between the NBA and the NCAA has widened considerably over the past twenty years, today it often takes a first round draft pick a couple of years to actually become a contributor when in the past they started immediately.
The point of this is, NCAA basketball quality has diminished recently but interest has not, I would see zero reason to pay superior players to stay. Fan interest is still strong despite the diluted product. I would be more worried if I saw a Baylor-Gonzaga title game rematch next year where Drew Timme was playing for Baylor instead of Gonzaga. With the current transfer situation it could happen and that would be problematic for the sport.
Oh bye the way Steve, you are 100% correct, this league has little chance of success. Nevertheless I love the idea of having avenues for young men to pursue a professional career without the NCAA.
This is just absurd. The NCAA creates a better project with better players (workers). If there is a competing League (Business) that starts meaningfully poaching good players that would otherwise play in the NCAA then the NCAA will have to adapt in order to maintain the quality of the product. This is true even of one and dones. College Basketball was better because Blake Griffen or Zion Williamson or Kevin Durant played even one season.
Think about the USFL or WHA or ABA. It was problematic for those leagues to lose those players.
As for player movement being a detriment to the college game - i dont see coaches being able to pick up and leave at a moments notice wrecking the game so i doubt players having rights would either.
I followed the USFL and they were able to have a similar, albeit inferior product (although the product was actually pretty good).
This isn't like that. This isn't the NJ Generals vs. N.Y Giants.
This is more like the Milan Maulers vs. UofM Wolverines. Milan Maulers would draw 'family and friends.'
BTW, I should quit picking on Milan. "This season, all of the games will take place in suburban Washington, D.C., but by next year Volante hopes to have teams playing in eight cities, several of them in the Mid-Atlantic region."
So we could have one in say Alexandria, Arlington, Bethesda, College Park, Fairfax, etc.
i guess what im saying is im not dismissing out hand the possibility of a barnstorming league coming along and forcing the NCAA's hand a bit in terms of players rights.
(04-26-2021 06:29 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (04-24-2021 01:58 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (04-24-2021 01:26 PM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (04-23-2021 05:52 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: [ -> ] (04-23-2021 06:46 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ]Here's my theory: if this league is even sort of successful the NCAA will start paying players in order to retain the better talent.
Dan, the NCAA does not need superior talent. A Patrick Ewing does not spend four years in college today nor do Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Sam Perkins play multiple years together at N Carolina. Coach K at Duke won five National Championships with senior laden rosters. That is not the world today.
The talent gap between the NBA and the NCAA has widened considerably over the past twenty years, today it often takes a first round draft pick a couple of years to actually become a contributor when in the past they started immediately.
The point of this is, NCAA basketball quality has diminished recently but interest has not, I would see zero reason to pay superior players to stay. Fan interest is still strong despite the diluted product. I would be more worried if I saw a Baylor-Gonzaga title game rematch next year where Drew Timme was playing for Baylor instead of Gonzaga. With the current transfer situation it could happen and that would be problematic for the sport.
Oh bye the way Steve, you are 100% correct, this league has little chance of success. Nevertheless I love the idea of having avenues for young men to pursue a professional career without the NCAA.
This is just absurd. The NCAA creates a better project with better players (workers). If there is a competing League (Business) that starts meaningfully poaching good players that would otherwise play in the NCAA then the NCAA will have to adapt in order to maintain the quality of the product. This is true even of one and dones. College Basketball was better because Blake Griffen or Zion Williamson or Kevin Durant played even one season.
Think about the USFL or WHA or ABA. It was problematic for those leagues to lose those players.
As for player movement being a detriment to the college game - i dont see coaches being able to pick up and leave at a moments notice wrecking the game so i doubt players having rights would either.
I followed the USFL and they were able to have a similar, albeit inferior product (although the product was actually pretty good).
This isn't like that. This isn't the NJ Generals vs. N.Y Giants.
This is more like the Milan Maulers vs. UofM Wolverines. Milan Maulers would draw 'family and friends.'
BTW, I should quit picking on Milan. "This season, all of the games will take place in suburban Washington, D.C., but by next year Volante hopes to have teams playing in eight cities, several of them in the Mid-Atlantic region."
So we could have one in say Alexandria, Arlington, Bethesda, College Park, Fairfax, etc.
i guess what im saying is im not dismissing out hand the possibility of a barnstorming league coming along and forcing the NCAA's hand a bit in terms of players rights.
Okay, but I hardly ever watch two NBA teams (or college teams for that matter) for whom I have no rooting interest.
The only G-league games I watched were the Ignite because of back in the bad ole days (say a month) when I thought the Wizards would get a high lottery pick (now they have an 8-game win streak, longest for the team going back decades).
People really only care about their city or their school. How many people care about one of those small independent baseball leagues?
(04-26-2021 06:47 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (04-26-2021 06:29 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (04-24-2021 01:58 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (04-24-2021 01:26 PM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (04-23-2021 05:52 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: [ -> ]Dan, the NCAA does not need superior talent. A Patrick Ewing does not spend four years in college today nor do Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Sam Perkins play multiple years together at N Carolina. Coach K at Duke won five National Championships with senior laden rosters. That is not the world today.
The talent gap between the NBA and the NCAA has widened considerably over the past twenty years, today it often takes a first round draft pick a couple of years to actually become a contributor when in the past they started immediately.
The point of this is, NCAA basketball quality has diminished recently but interest has not, I would see zero reason to pay superior players to stay. Fan interest is still strong despite the diluted product. I would be more worried if I saw a Baylor-Gonzaga title game rematch next year where Drew Timme was playing for Baylor instead of Gonzaga. With the current transfer situation it could happen and that would be problematic for the sport.
Oh bye the way Steve, you are 100% correct, this league has little chance of success. Nevertheless I love the idea of having avenues for young men to pursue a professional career without the NCAA.
This is just absurd. The NCAA creates a better project with better players (workers). If there is a competing League (Business) that starts meaningfully poaching good players that would otherwise play in the NCAA then the NCAA will have to adapt in order to maintain the quality of the product. This is true even of one and dones. College Basketball was better because Blake Griffen or Zion Williamson or Kevin Durant played even one season.
Think about the USFL or WHA or ABA. It was problematic for those leagues to lose those players.
As for player movement being a detriment to the college game - i dont see coaches being able to pick up and leave at a moments notice wrecking the game so i doubt players having rights would either.
I followed the USFL and they were able to have a similar, albeit inferior product (although the product was actually pretty good).
This isn't like that. This isn't the NJ Generals vs. N.Y Giants.
This is more like the Milan Maulers vs. UofM Wolverines. Milan Maulers would draw 'family and friends.'
BTW, I should quit picking on Milan. "This season, all of the games will take place in suburban Washington, D.C., but by next year Volante hopes to have teams playing in eight cities, several of them in the Mid-Atlantic region."
So we could have one in say Alexandria, Arlington, Bethesda, College Park, Fairfax, etc.
i guess what im saying is im not dismissing out hand the possibility of a barnstorming league coming along and forcing the NCAA's hand a bit in terms of players rights.
Okay, but I hardly ever watch two NBA teams (or college teams for that matter) for whom I have no rooting interest.
The only G-league games I watched were the Ignite because of back in the bad ole days (say a month) when I thought the Wizards would get a high lottery pick (now they have an 8-game win streak, longest for the team going back decades).
People really only care about their city or their school. How many people care about one of those small independent baseball leagues?
so i guess my counter point to that is think about how many people watch high school games on ESPN that feature elite recruits (such as Emoni Bates for example) or the McDonalds All-American game. While you or I may not fall into that audience theres definitely a market for that type of product. Like I said - im not positive itll work - but i think its got a punchers chance or being an effective competitor. I feel the same way about top HS recruits going to the G-League for a season. It may not be a viable path today - but it may be in the not too distant future.
(04-24-2021 07:46 AM)Boca Rocket Wrote: [ -> ]I hope that this league will succeed for those that want to get paid for play and could care less about a college education.
Amen Boca! Success of this league will "empty the revolvers of the bullets" that demand that NCAA athletes be paid for their services.
(04-26-2021 07:06 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (04-26-2021 06:47 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (04-26-2021 06:29 AM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ] (04-24-2021 01:58 PM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ] (04-24-2021 01:26 PM)dansplaining Wrote: [ -> ]This is just absurd. The NCAA creates a better project with better players (workers). If there is a competing League (Business) that starts meaningfully poaching good players that would otherwise play in the NCAA then the NCAA will have to adapt in order to maintain the quality of the product. This is true even of one and dones. College Basketball was better because Blake Griffen or Zion Williamson or Kevin Durant played even one season.
Think about the USFL or WHA or ABA. It was problematic for those leagues to lose those players.
As for player movement being a detriment to the college game - i dont see coaches being able to pick up and leave at a moments notice wrecking the game so i doubt players having rights would either.
I followed the USFL and they were able to have a similar, albeit inferior product (although the product was actually pretty good).
This isn't like that. This isn't the NJ Generals vs. N.Y Giants.
This is more like the Milan Maulers vs. UofM Wolverines. Milan Maulers would draw 'family and friends.'
BTW, I should quit picking on Milan. "This season, all of the games will take place in suburban Washington, D.C., but by next year Volante hopes to have teams playing in eight cities, several of them in the Mid-Atlantic region."
So we could have one in say Alexandria, Arlington, Bethesda, College Park, Fairfax, etc.
i guess what im saying is im not dismissing out hand the possibility of a barnstorming league coming along and forcing the NCAA's hand a bit in terms of players rights.
Okay, but I hardly ever watch two NBA teams (or college teams for that matter) for whom I have no rooting interest.
The only G-league games I watched were the Ignite because of back in the bad ole days (say a month) when I thought the Wizards would get a high lottery pick (now they have an 8-game win streak, longest for the team going back decades).
People really only care about their city or their school. How many people care about one of those small independent baseball leagues?
so i guess my counter point to that is think about how many people watch high school games on ESPN that feature elite recruits (such as Emoni Bates for example) or the McDonalds All-American game. While you or I may not fall into that audience theres definitely a market for that type of product. Like I said - im not positive itll work - but i think its got a punchers chance or being an effective competitor. I feel the same way about top HS recruits going to the G-League for a season. It may not be a viable path today - but it may be in the not too distant future.
Dan I have EMU basketball season tickets because I love my alma mater, the live games are close to home and I get the chance to hang out with my college buddies. Actually I seldom watch the NBA contests as they present none of the above. This league or the G-League will fall into the same category. If one was only interested in player quality, NCAA athletics would not be so popular, pro sports would rule and today they do not.
I agree with you about high school prospects, they need a professional career path that does not include the requirement of college enrollment. MLB and the NHL have made major investments in their minor leagues to allow HS athletes to do so. The NBA and NFL, however, have simply used the NCAA as their farm system.
We both agree on the basic premise, an incredibly talented 18 year old should be paid to display his talents, I simply want the onus to be on the NBA or NFL, instead of the NCAA.