NCAA Violation

[okienole3]

Everyone gets paid except the players. That is the point here. That is the problem.

Such a short sided argument. You do get the benefit of an education, plus the distinction of having played at a place like Oklahoma. Look no further than the guy that got fired over this mess. He parlayed playing at Oklahoma to a job where he made in excess of $100,000 a year. Think he would trade that for some measly stipend?

 

[skyvue]

Everyone gets paid except the players. That is the point here. That is the problem.

They don't get paid stipends, but they get paid. Please let's not pretend they don't. A college education is not to be dismissed (and any player who doesn't put some effort into taking advantage of that free education -- and I know they exist -- is a misguided fool).

I wouldn't mind a small stipend that allowed the players to have a bit more fun in their free time, but it's a slippery slope. Start with a small one, and in a few years, there will be folks insisting it should be larger. And larger. And larger.

Meanwhile, lots of students work for the university and make little to nothing for it (except tuition, books and lodging, which is not nothing).

 

[thebigabd]

They don't get paid stipends, but they get paid. Please let's not pretend they don't. A college education is not to be dismissed (and any player who doesn't put some effort into taking advantage of that free education -- and I know they exist -- is a misguided fool).

I wouldn't mind a small stipend that allowed the players to have a bit more fun in their free time, but it's a slippery slope. Start with a small one, and in a few years, there will be folks insisting it should be larger. And larger. And larger.

Meanwhile, lots of students work for the university and make little to nothing for it (except tuition, books and lodging, which is not nothing).

What percentage of D-1 scholarship basketball and football players graduate? How many of them graduate with a Sociology or Sociology-like degree?

 

[StatGeek]

The players don't drive the revenue, the brand does. For instance, you people were here watching OU games when Nick Thompson was starting games because of the OU on the front of the jersey, not the Thompson on the back. The difference in revenue between the really good OU teams and the really bad OU teams is nominal. Very few OU players actually add revenue. If an athletic scholarship to attend The University of Oklahoma is exploitation, please exploit both of my boys, I beg you. Or better yet, Stanford please call me.

How many highly recruited players have turned down scholarship offers? The answer to that question should tell you just how exploited these players really are. I simply cannot understand how an intellectually honest person can even remotely believe the players are being exploited.

 

[skyvue]

What percentage of D-1 scholarship basketball and football players graduate? How many of them graduate with a Sociology or Sociology-like degree?

I don't know, but that's on them. They get all kinds of academic assistance, and they're being given a great opportunity for a free education. It's up to them to take advantage.

Very few of them make it to the NBA, and relatively few get to go play professionally abroad. Any student athlete who doesn't view basketball (or any other sport) as a means to an educational end is approaching it all wrong.

 

[StatGeek]

What percentage of D-1 scholarship basketball and football players graduate? How many of them graduate with a Sociology or Sociology-like degree?

Completely irrelevant.

 

[thebigabd]

Completely irrelevant.

Not really.... We are comparing the "value" that scholarship athletes get out of their education vs. what the school and coaches make.

 

[StatGeek]

Not really.... We are comparing the "value" that scholarship athletes get out of their education vs. what the school and coaches make.

While simultaneously using zero facts or legitimate information.

 

[sperry]

The players don't drive the revenue, the brand does. For instance, you people were here watching OU games when Nick Thompson was starting games because of the OU on the front of the jersey, not the Thompson on the back. The difference in revenue between the really good OU teams and the really bad OU teams is nominal. Very few OU players actually add revenue. If an athletic scholarship to attend The University of Oklahoma is exploitation, please exploit both of my boys, I beg you. Or better yet, Stanford please call me.

How many highly recruited players have turned down scholarship offers? The answer to that question should tell you just how exploited these players really are. I simply cannot understand how an intellectually honest person can even remotely believe the players are being exploited.

So revenue is independent of the product on the floor? OU isn't making more money this year than they were in 2011-12?

 

[StatGeek]

So revenue is independent of the product on the floor? OU isn't making more money this year than they were in 2011-12?

You tell me, are they? If so, where?

 

[CoachTalk]

Everyone gets paid except the players. That is the point here. That is the problem.

Players don't get 100k free education. Free vacations Bahamas, Europe, Hawaii next year? Access to future jobs, dr medicine, the list goes on...

 

[StatGeek]

Oklahoma Men's Basketball

Fiscal Year......Revenues......Expenses......Surplus/Defecit
2005-2006...........3.18M..........4.43M..........(1.25M)
2006-2007...........3.31M..........4.61M..........(1.30M)
2007-2008...........2.68M..........4.22M..........(1.54M)
2008-2009...........3.16M..........4.74M..........(1.58M)
2009-2010...........3.37M..........5.05M..........(1.69M)
2010-2011...........2.81M..........7.49M..........(4.68M)
2011-2012...........1.89M..........6.61M..........(4.72M)
2012-2013...........2.01M..........7.00M..........(4.99M)

Looks to me like the players should be grateful for the scholarship (I recognize that 99.9% truly are grateful). I am sure some clever guy will come back with an accounting boogie man argument, and place the onus upon me to "disprove" the argument.

Source: Soonersports.com, Athletic Department Annual Reports.

http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=208803525

 

[MenderofRoads]

IMO players are fairly compensated for the work they provide. Access to a free education (especially in today's world) is worth what they provide.

That said, restrictions on outside employment isn't right, either. I think players should be allowed to work whatever job they can get with whatever free time their schedule allows. If that happens to be a bogus job at a car dealership, so be it. Let the IRS deal with it. The NCAA shouldn't bother.

 

[originalsooner55]

Players don't get 100k free education. Free vacations Bahamas, Europe, Hawaii next year? Access to future jobs, dr medicine, the list goes on...

CoachTalk, 99% of the time I agree with you, but on this topic I can't. Don't know if you have ever played college sports or if you have ever had a son or daughter ever play, but I have both experiences. To say that athletes get "Free Vacations" is not so. These are not vacations, sure they get to travel to different places, to play, this is not a vacation. I know I don't, and I am sure you don't work when you go on vacations, they do. As far as the Dr.'s and medicine, if the parents have insurance, they use that just like they would if they where still at home. Athletes that their parents have no insurance, get treatment free, just like if someone was not in college.

As far as future jobs, I am very sure it does not hurt being an athlete, this probably does help in openeing doors. These athletes scholarships basically covers their rent and bills for the ones that live off campus and the ones that live in the dorm, primarily get no money, just room and bored. The problem is, these athletes need spending money, for things like going to a movie, etc. Their schedule throughout the year and summers won't allow them to have job to earn this extra money for spending.

 

[DenverSooner]

Do you know anyone other than Fraschilla on the team?

The Woodards are not poor. The Spanglers are not poor. The Fraschillas are wealthy. The Hields are not poor and I suspect wealthy. I have every reason to believe the bookers and thomases are middle class

 

[SoonerSpock]

If Yo Yo was involved the first time in Europe, why wasn't he fired then?

I would surmise that Yo-Yo was not caught in Europe but one the walk-on reported the incident the OU internal audit of the situation uncovered the European incident.

 

[hoopsaustin]

Not really.... We are comparing the "value" that scholarship athletes get out of their education vs. what the school and coaches make.

The value of the degree depends on the athlete.. geez.. you demand NO accountability from the athletes..

Andrew luck got his architecture degree from Stanford.... that sounds Totally worthless... (it's also supposedly a 5 yr degree and he got it in like 3 or so)

 

[StatGeek]

CoachTalk, 99% of the time I agree with you, but on this topic I can't. Don't know if you have ever played college sports or if you have ever had a son or daughter ever play, but I have both experiences. To say that athletes get "Free Vacations" is not so. These are not vacations, sure they get to travel to different places, to play, this is not a vacation. I know I don't, and I am sure you don't work when you go on vacations, they do. As far as the Dr.'s and medicine, if the parents have insurance, they use that just like they would if they where still at home. Athletes that their parents have no insurance, get treatment free, just like if someone was not in college.

As far as future jobs, I am very sure it does not hurt being an athlete, this probably does help in openeing doors. These athletes scholarships basically covers their rent and bills for the ones that live off campus and the ones that live in the dorm, primarily get no money, just room and bored. The problem is, these athletes need spending money, for things like going to a movie, etc. Their schedule throughout the year and summers won't allow them to have job to earn this extra money for spending.

If it's too burdensome, stop playing, go to school as a "regular" student and get that job. Oh, what's that? That deal isn't as good?

Please tell me you were joking.

 

[WTSooner]

I know I don't, and I am sure you don't work when you go on vacations, they do.

I do. I responded to work emails from my bed in Cabo a few years ago every night I was there. I suspect a lot of people that have professional jobs do the very same. Those types of jobs are nearly impossible to "leave at the office".

The problem is, these athletes need spending money, for things like going to a movie, etc. Their schedule throughout the year and summers won't allow them to have job to earn this extra money for spending.

How is that any different from a regular college student that needs money? Even if that college student manages to find/hold a part time job, sometimes the funds still aren't there. The answer? Take out relatively small student loans to cover those extra living expenses. I was lucky enough to not have to do that, but I know tons of folks that did that very thing.

 

[WTSooner]

The Hields are not poor and I suspect wealthy.

You sure about that? I mean, poor is relative, they obviously aren't living under a bridge, but I never got the feeling they were solidly middle class or anything. It's actually part of the reason I think Buddy might leave school early. He certainly isn't NBA/Pro-ready. I think he wants to support family.