Should semipro/college players be paid, or allowed to sell their stuff? (NIL and Revenue Sharing)

[ScriptOhio]

Northwestern players get union vote

In a potentially game-changing moment for college athletics, the Chicago district of the National Labor Relations Board ruled on Wednesday that Northwestern football players qualify as employees of the university and can unionize.

NLRB regional director Peter Sung Ohr cited the players' time commitment to their sport and the fact their scholarships were tied directly to their performance as reasons for granting them union rights.

Ohr wrote in his ruling that the players "fall squarely within the [National Labor Relations] Act's broad definition of 'employee' when one considers the common law definition of 'employee.'"

Ohr ruled that the players can hold a vote on whether they want to be represented by the College Athletes Players Association, which brought the case to the NLRB along with former Wildcats quarterback Kain Colter and the United Steelworkers Union.

"I couldn't be more happy and grateful for today's ruling, though it is the ruling we expected," said Huma Ramogi, president of both the National College Players Assn, a non-profit advocacy group that has been around since 2001, and the College Athletes Players Association, the union that would represent the players and was formed in January.

Entire article: http://espn.go.com/college-football...rn-wildcats-football-players-win-bid-unionize

 

[Oh8ch]

I have a feeling Delaney and the boys are breaking out the ball bats and gonna bust some heads.

They will break any union even if it means scabs from the philosophy department finishing out next years season.

I have already spoken to the Nacho Bitch and she WILL cross the picket lines to perform her duties.

 

[ScriptOhio]

In a statement, the NCAA acknowledged it is “disappointed” the Chicago regional office of the NLRB ruled that Northwestern football players are employees and are therefore afforded the right to unionize. As it did in contending the initial petition, the NCAA “strongly disagreed” with the contention that student-athletes are employees.

The decision gives Northwestern football players the right to vote to unionize. While not official, Northwestern is expected to appeal today’s ruling.

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/26/ncaa-disappointed-in-northwestern-union-ruling/

 

[ScriptOhio]

I have a feeling Delaney and the boys are breaking out the ball bats and gonna bust some heads.

They will break any union even if it means scabs from the philosophy department finishing out next years season.

I have already spoken to the Nacho Bitch and she WILL cross the picket lines to perform her duties.

I eagerly wait for the day that the Northwestern football players organize their union, go to any away game where some other union is picketing the stadium, refuse to cross union picket lines, and forfeit the game.

Northwestern students have taken such perverse purple pride in the glaring dichotomy between their school’s on-field ineptitude and its in-class preeminence that they regularly taunted opposing fans during football losses with the chant, “That’s alright, that’s okay, you’ll be working for us someday!”

 

[USC]

The NCAA will just take scholorships away and solve it.

This also only pertains to private colleges. Federal law states that State employees have no right to unionize. So this doesn't affect many schools, not to mention it more than likely won't pass in DC.

 

[zincfinger]

Federal law states that State employees have no right to unionize.

Just to clarify, and correct me if I'm wrong: Federal law does not say that State employees may not unionize. Instead, Federal law leaves it to the individual States to determine whether and how State employees may unionize.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Interesting article:

Boise State looking for waiver to help homeless player

There are certain times when a football program has the ability to do the right thing but must jump through hoops to be able to do it. Boise State is currently looking to get a waiver from the NCAA in order to help out a recruit who is currently without a home.

Antoine Turner is a 21-year old football player that has been on the move for much of his life. Turner left New Orleans, where he moved around between different families following his mother’s death until the region was washed out by Hurricane Katrina. He then found himself involved in gang activity as a courier of sorts. Turner went on to attend a junior college in California where he lived with his girlfriend’s family before moving in with his uncle. Unfortunately for Turner, government housing regulations are going to force Turner to find another new home.

According to Boise State’s compliance office, no fans or outside parties are allowed to make any donations or lend any financial assistance to Turner, as doing so is a violation of NCAA rules. In a memo to KTVB, a local television station that aired a feature on Turner, the compliance office explained the situation;

We need to make it clear to your viewers and Bronco fans that it is NOT permissible within NCAA rules for boosters of Boise State athletics to provide benefits to Mr. Turner. That would include money, loans, gifts, discounts, transportation costs, etc.

While Mr. Turner’s need is abundantly clear, it is not permissible for Boise State, the athletics department or supporters of the athletics department to assist Mr. Turner at this time. Once Mr. Turner arrives on campus for the start of the summer school program, he will be well taken care of–receiving full tuition, room and board, books, fees etc. In the meantime, the compliance office is exploring a potential waiver with the NCAA that would allow us to provide assistance prior to the start of summer school.

Entire article: http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsport...e-looking-for-waiver-to-help-homeless-player/

 

[WolverineMike]

Interesting article:

Boise State looking for waiver to help homeless player

There are certain times when a football program has the ability to do the right thing but must jump through hoops to be able to do it. Boise State is currently looking to get a waiver from the NCAA in order to help out a recruit who is currently without a home.

Antoine Turner is a 21-year old football player that has been on the move for much of his life. Turner left New Orleans, where he moved around between different families following his mother’s death until the region was washed out by Hurricane Katrina. He then found himself involved in gang activity as a courier of sorts. Turner went on to attend a junior college in California where he lived with his girlfriend’s family before moving in with his uncle. Unfortunately for Turner, government housing regulations are going to force Turner to find another new home.

According to Boise State’s compliance office, no fans or outside parties are allowed to make any donations or lend any financial assistance to Turner, as doing so is a violation of NCAA rules. In a memo to KTVB, a local television station that aired a feature on Turner, the compliance office explained the situation;

We need to make it clear to your viewers and Bronco fans that it is NOT permissible within NCAA rules for boosters of Boise State athletics to provide benefits to Mr. Turner. That would include money, loans, gifts, discounts, transportation costs, etc.

While Mr. Turner’s need is abundantly clear, it is not permissible for Boise State, the athletics department or supporters of the athletics department to assist Mr. Turner at this time. Once Mr. Turner arrives on campus for the start of the summer school program, he will be well taken care of–receiving full tuition, room and board, books, fees etc. In the meantime, the compliance office is exploring a potential waiver with the NCAA that would allow us to provide assistance prior to the start of summer school.

Entire article: http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsport...e-looking-for-waiver-to-help-homeless-player/

In reading through some fan comments in another article, the common theme seems to be blaming the NCAA and their archaic rules. I can see that, but I pose a question to anyone in an uproar about this one specific homeless player. What about the two homeless guys sleeping next to him on the street. The NCAA isn't to blame for those guys. People only care about this one homeless guy because he can help out their football team, and that's what's really wrong with a lot of people.

Ignore homeless man, doesn't affect me.
Ignore homeless man, doesn't affect me.
Ignore homeless man, doesn't affect me.
Ignore homeless man, doesn't affect me.
Ignore homeless man, doesn't affect me.
This homeless man can catch a football! I'M OUTRAGED!!!!!!!!!

 

[ScriptOhio]

Interesting article:

Boise State looking for waiver to help homeless player

There are certain times when a football program has the ability to do the right thing but must jump through hoops to be able to do it. Boise State is currently looking to get a waiver from the NCAA in order to help out a recruit who is currently without a home.

Antoine Turner is a 21-year old football player that has been on the move for much of his life. Turner left New Orleans, where he moved around between different families following his mother’s death until the region was washed out by Hurricane Katrina. He then found himself involved in gang activity as a courier of sorts. Turner went on to attend a junior college in California where he lived with his girlfriend’s family before moving in with his uncle. Unfortunately for Turner, government housing regulations are going to force Turner to find another new home.

According to Boise State’s compliance office, no fans or outside parties are allowed to make any donations or lend any financial assistance to Turner, as doing so is a violation of NCAA rules. In a memo to KTVB, a local television station that aired a feature on Turner, the compliance office explained the situation;

We need to make it clear to your viewers and Bronco fans that it is NOT permissible within NCAA rules for boosters of Boise State athletics to provide benefits to Mr. Turner. That would include money, loans, gifts, discounts, transportation costs, etc.

While Mr. Turner’s need is abundantly clear, it is not permissible for Boise State, the athletics department or supporters of the athletics department to assist Mr. Turner at this time. Once Mr. Turner arrives on campus for the start of the summer school program, he will be well taken care of–receiving full tuition, room and board, books, fees etc. In the meantime, the compliance office is exploring a potential waiver with the NCAA that would allow us to provide assistance prior to the start of summer school.

Entire article: http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsport...e-looking-for-waiver-to-help-homeless-player/

NCAA: Boise State ‘may provide immediate assistance’ for Antoine Turner

Wednesday afternoon, The Association took to Twitter to announce its decision.
NCAA @NCAA · 2h
After Boise State's request last night, the school may provide immediate assistance to football student-athlete Antoine Turner.
https://twitter.com/NCAA?original_r...rner/&tw_i=466629335504650240&tw_p=tweetembed

 

[ScriptOhio]

In reading through some fan comments in another article, the common theme seems to be blaming the NCAA and their archaic rules. I can see that, but I pose a question to anyone in an uproar about this one specific homeless player. What about the two homeless guys sleeping next to him on the street. The NCAA isn't to blame for those guys. People only care about this one homeless guy because he can help out their football team, and that's what's really wrong with a lot of people.

Ignore homeless man, doesn't affect me.
Ignore homeless man, doesn't affect me.
Ignore homeless man, doesn't affect me.
Ignore homeless man, doesn't affect me.
Ignore homeless man, doesn't affect me.
This homeless man can catch a football! I'M OUTRAGED!!!!!!!!!

OK, the NCAA is allowing Boise State to take care of Antoine Turner. Now we need to address the "two homeless guys sleeping next to him on the street" that you referenced (as well as all the other homeless people). I think this place (below) would made a great "open shelter for the homeless", I think that you should petition scUM with the suggestion:

 

[WolverineMike]

OK, the NCAA is allowing Boise State to take care of Antoine Turner. Now we need to address the "two homeless guys sleeping next to him on the street" that you referenced (as well as all the other homeless people). I think this place (below) would made a great "open shelter for the homeless", I think that you should petition scUM with the suggestion:

so you'd like to take all the homeless people and put them in a stadium that's not even in the state I live in? I think I'd be okay with that.

 

[Dryden]

I think this place (below) would made a great "open shelter for the homeless", I think that you should petition scUM with the suggestion:

Haven't the homeless suffered enough?

 

[ScriptOhio]

Boston tries to be first city with 'College Athlete Bill of Rights'

Boston is trying to become the first city to provide health care and educational rights to college athletes beyond what the NCAA requires.

Legislation has been enacted or proposed at the federal and state level for a “College Athlete Bill of Rights.” But Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim has taken the unique step of going local. He filed a pair of ordinances Friday related to the educational and health rights for athletes who play college sports in Boston. Among the potential laws for Boston universities:

• Athletes would receive as much as a fifth full year of institutional financial aid if they haven't graduated yet, assuming they are not academically ineligible or did not violate the university's student disciplinary policy. If an athletic scholarship is not renewed for a reason other than ineligibility or discipline, the university would have to provide an equivalent scholarship for up to five years.

• Universities would provide “comprehensive” year-round health insurance to all of its athletes so it “adequately covers their participation in the athletic program.” Also, universities would be responsible for athletes' post-college medical expenses or care resulting from a college injury.

• An independent neurotrauma consultant would assist the home and visiting team's medical staff in diagnosing head, neck or spine injuries. An athlete with concussion symptoms couldn't participate in Boston until cleared by a health care professional as determined by the Boston Public Health Commissioner. Athletes would have to provide the authorization to his or her athletic director.

Entire article: http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...-1st-city-with-college-athlete-bill-of-rights

 

[Zurp]

• An independent neurotrauma consultant would assist the home and visiting team's medical staff in diagnosing head, neck or spine injuries. An athlete with concussion symptoms couldn't participate in Boston until cleared by a health care professional as determined by the Boston Public Health Commissioner. Athletes would have to provide the authorization to his or her athletic director.

I don't mind and actually can agree with the first two. And I'm sure this third point was made with good intentions. But I can see how it would be abused:
"Yo, Mr. Public Health Dude, I've got this mansion in Arizona, and I need someone to spend about 6 months there every year. I also have this plane that can get you to and from there all you want. Just call ahead. Can you help me out? And I'll help you out with the paperwork on Johny Five-Star there. I know it's now the first quarter and you're about to clear him to go back into the game, but I'm not very fast with paperwork. I hope I can get him back in before the end of the game, though."

 

[jlb1705]

College athletics is a gravy train, and the movement to increase compensation for student-athletes is becoming a gravy train in its own right.

That stunt will do absolutely nothing to help student-athletes, but it's gonna get clicks for websites and some national name recognition for a local politician.