I don't understand what the anger is about. Is it jealousy/envy? There are questions about the ethics at Oregon, but assuming they're on the up-and-up (quite an assumption, but play along), then this is valuing the players in a new way. Instead of just looking at the field, it's taking the players and valuing them as individuals. It gives them an environment to hang out in, socialize in, do school work in, etc. They are putting their money into the players as people, quite a welcome change. These are people who are making the university (and Nike, yes) millions, risking injury in the process. So if in return, they get some fancy digs and a nice place to hang out, that's great for them.
Plus, on the note that there might be places the money could do more good, I don't know if that's true. For all we know, that money was earmarked for football (from either Nike or donors), so they felt that this was the best ROI if going towards the football program.
Last Edited: 8/12/2013 12:08:33 PM by Kevin Finnegan