[socalstanfan1]

[quote author=socalstanfan1 link=topic=16589.msg188663#msg188663 date=1487142571]
I haven't beaten this drum in a while, but I think a way to address much of the corruption/difficulties of the NCAA would be for the NFL and NBA to develop legitimate minor/developmental leagues open to players coming straight out of HS, a la Hockey and Baseball. 

In principle I completely agree with this. The NFL and NBA have gotten free development leagues for a long time.

Unfortunately, there is little to no emotional investment in minor league teams, whilst most D-1 universities have cultivated rabid fan bases. At some big name schools the base includes orders of people who are not alumni and really don't have any connection to the school outside of sports.

Imagine, if you will, the media buildup for a game between the Palo Alto Trees and the Tuscaloosa Tide. Not much of an attention-grabber.
[/quote]

I don't think the issue is whether the minor league teams would get a fan base.  They probably wouldn't.  The question is whether the college teams would continue to attract rabid fan bases, even when much (but not all) of the premium talent was re-directed to the minors. I assume that, just as baseball and hockey have both college and minor league teams, so too would football and basketball.  But you are right, a lot of more casual fans might lose interest if premium talent is elsewhere. 

[socalstanfan1]

[quote author=socalstanfan1 link=topic=16589.msg188663#msg188663 date=1487142571]
I haven't beaten this drum in a while, but I think a way to address much of the corruption/difficulties of the NCAA would be for the NFL and NBA to develop legitimate minor/developmental leagues open to players coming straight out of HS, a la Hockey and Baseball. 

In principle I completely agree with this. The NFL and NBA have gotten free development leagues for a long time.

Unfortunately, there is little to no emotional investment in minor league teams, whilst most D-1 universities have cultivated rabid fan bases. At some big name schools the base includes orders of people who are not alumni and really don't have any connection to the school outside of sports.

Imagine, if you will, the media buildup for a game between the Palo Alto Trees and the Tuscaloosa Tide. Not much of an attention-grabber.
[/quote]

I don't think the issue is whether the minor league teams would get a fan base.  They probably wouldn't.  The question is whether the college teams would continue to attract rabid fan bases, even when much (but not all) of the premium talent was re-directed to the minors. I assume that, just as baseball and hockey have both college and minor league teams, so too would football and basketball.  But you are right, a lot of more casual fans might lose interest if premium talent is elsewhere.