[teejers1]

I've said this elsewhere (maybe even here).  The solution is not that hard.

1.  Require the NFL to form a development league as there is in NBA and baseball.  That can and should be reserved for those who have no interest in college and/or demand to be paid for their services;

2.  For those who want to go the college route, do that - and play by NCAA rules (that means scholarship and perhaps a small stipend and perhaps some kind of medical insurance for life-long injuries sustained while playing college ball - but that's it); and

3.  Here's the kicker:  the NCAA should negotiate the TV deal globally and then allocate funds equitably across the entire university landscape.  (Oh, and impose a pay limit on coaches - at say $1.5 or $2M per year).

THAT SHOULD BE THE PRICE OF ADMISSION FOR PLAYING IN THE NCAA ARENA.  IF YOU DON'T LIKE THOSE RULES, THEN PLAY IN THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE.

The truth is that the Tuscaloosa Titans of the NFL D-League would not have nearly the fanatical support that the Crimson Tide does.  The "value generation" is the affiliation with the college/university.  That's just the truth (for now and forseeable future).  And if you accept that fact, then there is no reason why the colleges (read:  NCAA) should not be allowed to impose rules/regulations for participation in that arena.  Paying athletes, unionization, etc. will lead down the slippery slope of destroying college sports - or at least college football, as most of us have come to appreciate it over the years.

So, the final issue is what to do with "The Factories" - you know, those schools who will do anything (pay players, keep them eligible, build statutues to "students" who attend the place for only one semester, etc.) to keep the Golden Goose laying those eggs for them.  Here is my response to that:  ISOLATION.  Let most of the SEC, tOSU, and a handful of other "Football Rules" schools do their own thing.  Maybe they can get a lucrative TV deal, play their own round-robin schedule, and then claim to be the champion of . . . what exactly?  "The 2016 Champion of School Affiliated with Southern Schools?"  I'm telling you, that train would run out of steam quickly.  What makes "college football" the successful/passionate/fan-crazy thing that it is, is the "college" part of it.

If Michigan, Texas, ND, Stanford, Cal, UCLA, USC, Vandy and other universities - all of whom have a reputation for being great universities (that happen to also field football teams) - say "no" to the path that many think inevitable, then this ship can be righted before it is too late.  If these and other universities say:  "We're going to draw the line at paying players anything beyond a scholie and small stipend" - if they want more, then they must go elsewhere - then I think that position would ultimately prevail.   

The solution is not that hard to envision.  It's just having the will to get there that is the hard part.

BTW, I'm dubious of the legal challenges, especially if there is a professional league for those claiming poverty/unfairness.  There is no constitutional right to get paid while playing college sports.  If you choose to play in that environment, then you play by those rules. 

Again, why is this hard, or even controversial?

[teejers1]

I've said this elsewhere (maybe even here).  The solution is not that hard.

1.  Require the NFL to form a development league as there is in NBA and baseball.  That can and should be reserved for those who have no interest in college and/or demand to be paid for their services;

2.  For those who want to go the college route, do that - and play by NCAA rules (that means scholarship and perhaps a small stipend and perhaps some kind of medical insurance for life-long injuries sustained while playing college ball - but that's it); and

3.  Here's the kicker:  the NCAA should negotiate the TV deal globally and then allocate funds equitably across the entire university landscape.  (Oh, and impose a pay limit on coaches - at say $1.5 or $2M per year).

THAT SHOULD BE THE PRICE OF ADMISSION FOR PLAYING IN THE NCAA ARENA.  IF YOU DON'T LIKE THOSE RULES, THEN PLAY IN THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE.

The truth is that the Tuscaloosa Titans of the NFL D-League would not have nearly the fanatical support that the Crimson Tide does.  The "value generation" is the affiliation with the college/university.  That's just the truth (for now and forseeable future).  And if you accept that fact, then there is no reason why the colleges (read:  NCAA) should not be allowed to impose rules/regulations for participation in that arena.  Paying athletes, unionization, etc. will lead down the slippery slope of destroying college sports - or at least college football, as most of us have come to appreciate it over the years.

So, the final issue is what to do with "The Factories" - you know, those schools who will do anything (pay players, keep them eligible, build statutues to "students" who attend the place for only one semester, etc.) to keep the Golden Goose laying those eggs for them.  Here is my response to that:  ISOLATION.  Let most of the SEC, tOSU, and a handful of other "Football Rules" schools do their own thing.  Maybe they can get a lucrative TV deal, play their own round-robin schedule, and then claim to be the champion of . . . what exactly?  "The 2016 Champion of School Affiliated with Southern Schools?"  I'm telling you, that train would run out of steam quickly.  What makes "college football" the successful/passionate/fan-crazy thing that it is, is the "college" part of it.

If Michigan, Texas, ND, Stanford, Cal, UCLA, USC, Vandy and other universities - all of whom have a reputation for being great universities (that happen to also field football teams) - say "no" to the path that many think inevitable, then this ship can be righted before it is too late.  If these and other universities say:  "We're going to draw the line at paying players anything beyond a scholie and small stipend" - if they want more, then they must go elsewhere - then I think that position would ultimately prevail.   

The solution is not that hard to envision.  It's just having the will to get there that is the hard part.

BTW, I'm dubious of the legal challenges, especially if there is a professional league for those claiming poverty/unfairness.  There is no constitutional right to get paid while playing college sports.  If you choose to play in that environment, then you play by those rules. 

Again, why is this hard, or even controversial?