(07-21-2021, 04:42 PM)CTcard Wrote: I fear you both have a naively optimistic view of the connection to reality of the average sports fan. I suspect most sports fans care more about how college sports teams represent the superiority of their state, their region, their tribe, far more than they care about any particular ideal of college sports. Those winning just want to win; those not winning fantasize they will be in the winner's chair as soon as their team's AD gets that bug out of his/her rear end and hires a real coach - or properly pays players - or whatever is the complaint of the moment.
Of course I don't know the future or what Stanford would ultimately do. In fact I doubt those in a position to control things at Stanford have any real idea of what Stanford would ultimately do. It does seem to me that the average Stanford sports fan would be more concerned by these developments than most, but don't know if that turns the table.
I'm not talking about "average sports fan." I'm talking about average Stanford sports fan. And even more importantly, Stanford University administrators who will need to examine the role of paid athletes on campus vis a vis the mission of the university.
Maybe they determine paid athletes is consistent with the mission of Stanford University. I just don't see it . . .