Dan Popper
Editorial Director
In the past month, there has been a tremendous outburst of suspensions in college football because players breached the NCAA-established regulations and conditions of their amateur statuses. A.J Green, wide receiver for the Georgia Bulldogs and potential top five NFL draft pick, has been suspended for the first four games of this season for selling his game-worn jersey for 5,000 dollars. 15 UNC football players were ruled ineligible for their opening game against the No. 21 ranked LSU Tigers for alleged contact with an agent. Most notably, on June 11th Reggie Bush, during his two years at USC, was accused and convicted of violating NCAA policy by accepting improper benefits from outside sources after a year and a half long investigation by the NCAA. Because of his conviction, Reggie Bush willingly gave up his 2005 Heisman Trophy.
These are only three of many cases that have occurred over the last few years where big name teams have lost key players. In such a short season, suspending a player for three, two or even one game can change the outcome of a season, especially if a team destined for a BCS bowl. The fact is, with the current era of constant and continuous news through Twitter, Facebook and cell phones, these players are on constant watch by the NCAA. Every action that violates the rules of NCAA policy will be discovered and scrutinized and the players will be put under review for violating their amateur status.
However, should these players really be considered amateurs? Every single year, players bring in millions and millions of dollars through TV contracts, ticket sales, jersey sales, and Bowl games. Yet, they receive none of the income they produce. Revenue goes straight to the college or into coach’s bank account. This season, five coaches in BCS conferences are making over $4,000,000 in salary including Mac Brown (Texas), Bob Stoops (Oklahoma), Urban Meyer (Florida) and Lane Kiffin (USC), yet not one player in college is making a salary.
Despite the fact that players receive scholarships that, in theory, pay the players upwards of 50,000 dollars a year, in comes nowhere close to the income they bring in for the team. The NCAA should not only consider being less tough on players who violate their amateur status, they should hold the many entities involved in college football programs accountable for the extraordinary amount of money flowing between teams, T.V outlets, clothing companies and media outlets. People watch college football for entertainment and enjoyment, and it’s about time for the people who provide the entertainment, the players, to receive the money they have earned.
