[Goose]

Pandora's box has been opened. Can't shut it now.

Yes we can. (Had to use the line. first time ever). If college sports were given an exemption from anti-trust laws, they could regulate/prohibit commercial activity by the athletes. Failing that, it is clear that any restrictions on the commercial activities by student athletes cannot legally be imposed by any organization similar to a conference or the NCAA. That would be an illegal restraint of trade, period. The idea of funneling money through any such organization would immediately be successfully challenged in court. It is possible that an individual university can restrain the commercial activities of students as a condition of attending. However, such regulation would have to apply in equal measure to all students. Such regulations also could not be coordinated with other universities for the above reason.

It Amateurism is for all practical purposes dead.

Without legislation, that is absolutely true. With legislation, it could still be true if organizations like the NCAA don't get their act together, both in PR terms and in real legal terms. I actually expect no legislation in the short term. It may happen when everybody realizes the implications of destroying the ability of universities to collude and govern intercollegiate athletics. The NCAA has done a crappy job. Without legislation, nobody can take over and do a better one.

[Goose]

Pandora's box has been opened. Can't shut it now.

Yes we can. (Had to use the line. first time ever). If college sports were given an exemption from anti-trust laws, they could regulate/prohibit commercial activity by the athletes. Failing that, it is clear that any restrictions on the commercial activities by student athletes cannot legally be imposed by any organization similar to a conference or the NCAA. That would be an illegal restraint of trade, period. The idea of funneling money through any such organization would immediately be successfully challenged in court. It is possible that an individual university can restrain the commercial activities of students as a condition of attending. However, such regulation would have to apply in equal measure to all students. Such regulations also could not be coordinated with other universities for the above reason.

It Amateurism is for all practical purposes dead.

Without legislation, that is absolutely true. With legislation, it could still be true if organizations like the NCAA don't get their act together, both in PR terms and in real legal terms. I actually expect no legislation in the short term. It may happen when everybody realizes the implications of destroying the ability of universities to collude and govern intercollegiate athletics. The NCAA has done a crappy job. Without legislation, nobody can take over and do a better one.