So, it was signed into law today. Here are my two questions:

--Can the NCAA, even with this law, ban players from playing if they accept money? It's their own organization, so what stops them from banning the players? (I know the law says that colleges cannot punish players, but the NCAA is not the college, right?)

--If they cannot be banned, does this give schools in California, especially USC, UCLA, and Stanford, an unfair advantage in recruiting?

The NCAA will fight this tooth and nail, because if the law is upheld it will mean they start to lose control of the money. They have little concern with it being the Wild West. They just want to be sheriff, judge and jury.... and banker.

Which agents and AAU coaches have been doing for years - per the shoe company investigation.

I for one can't wait for our QB to get a few bucks for eating BW3 wings.

This will only maximize the differences between the money programs and the have nots. It’s just not P-5 versus G-5 which will be affected. Ohio’s location will preclude players here receiving the bigger bucks, not so much a Toledo or Buffalo player.

Good point. Plus, basketball players naturally are more recognizable. The NBA has seen the power turn from the organization to the player over the last decade. I don't think that'll ever happen in the NFL. Their organizational structure will always exceed that of a player. Just look at the Melvin Gordon situation. He demanded a trade, held out for four weeks of play, then rejoined his team. Didn't get the trade he demanded, didn't get a new contract, and now may be facing fines and loss of pay that exceed $2 million. In the NBA, a player demands a trade, they're almost certain to get it.

I think the NFL Players Union is long overdue a strike, and that it's only a matter of time. And when it happens, it's going to be ugly. NBA and MLB players are much, much better treated in leagues with much lower revenue numbers.

Oh, and NBA and MLB players don't trade 1/3 of their life expectancy in exchange for a career.

The control we've seen guys like Melvin Gordon and Leveon Bell try and exert is a reaction to the control that NBA players have over their own careers, and the less guaranteed money in the NFL.

Don Wolken of USA Today has an interesting article about this.

Its up on USAtoday.com .

Sorry,couldn't get a link to work.

If search "wolken" it comes up.

What money? The NCAA is only getting money from the Championship contest and tournaments. The actual games are property of the home schools, the TV contracts are property of the leagues and in a few rare cases individual schools. The issue is the Wild West issue. Go let the moneyed elite have more influence in keeping and recruiting kids. How many endorsement deals would our athletes ever get to ink? While a school like Buffalo with more corperate action could easily out spend a rural campus like us. Wait until NLI's come with signing bonuses from endorsements. May as well go back to the days of the no-show job at 50x the minimum wage.

Here's the thing about this argument: it gives away the plot a bit.

Because at its core, this is an argument about maintaining competitive balance and ensuring that intercollegiate athletics are entertaining. It completely ignores the NCAA's stated mission, in which education is paramount, in favor of policy that insists athletic considerations, namely competitive balance, come first.

I totally get that people are worried about how this law might shift competitive balance. But I just can't really bring myself to care all that much. It seems of secondary concern to me compared to giving people to earn money based on their abilities. I kind of just find it immoral to limit that, even if it means Buffalo out recruits Ohio forever.

I think as long as the law is implemented in a way that is in consideration with the law and other NCAA rules. I don't think the law or anything will really change the college landscape we have a long way to go before we get there.

The NCAA already has a rule on the books that says a person on a scholarship can get a job. They physically have to do the job. in other words cant get paid for work they don't do. They also can't get paid more then the normal rate for anyone who would be doing that job.

so let's say a Cleveland cavalier gets $5000 to show up at a car dealership and shake hands and sign autographs. No booster or anyone could pay a college player like $50k to do the same thing.

Every year there are what maybe 25 to 30 kids across the entire country that are going to be worth anyone paying huge dollars to. those kids right now are probably going to choose between 5 or 10 schools. so it is not like this is going to be a huge effect.

besides that this is going to put a few extra dollars in a few kids pockets but not really a ton. as a matter of fact this might actually sort out the talent a little more around the country. there aren't a lot of 5 star Defensive lineman, but Clemson and Alabama have way more then there share and kids wait there turn. Maybe if your the 8th man on that Defensive line rotation. do you want to wait to years to get there turn there or if say. UCLA can arrange for the kid to get a 50k sponsorship and a chance to start right away he goes there.

because lets be honest how many 5 star kids go bust plenty. how much money are you going to do to promote a kid who might not even break the starting lineup for 2 years.

this will not effect to many kids or change the landscape that much. The biggest thing that may change is university's and conferences may have less money for other sports and facilities.

If done on the "up and up" you are 100% correct.

What I worry about is this becoming a mechanism to try get around rules for paying players.

I'm a big booster at school "A".

I form a "sports information" company.

Then I give "endorsement" contracts,of varying amounts, to the players
on the football team.

You over estimate the amount of cash that kids at big programs would get for card shows, and appearances at dealerships and malls. Friends of mine have made good five figure money the moment their eligibility runs out lining up for these events. Much of this payment is cash even, and the question is who is going to educate the athletes on the taxes and how all of that works.

You grossly underestimate the 25-30 kids across the country thing. The regional big boys will be paying 25-30 kids at their schools good money. Because the money is out there.

Yeah, wherever would we find an educational institution to educate these athletes?