My latest Chicago Tribune column has Jay Bilas weighing on the situation at Northwestern, where athletes are looking to form a union. The ESPN analyst has become the defacto go-to-guy on the pay-for-play issue.
You also can access the column via my Twitter feed at Sherman_Report.
From the column.
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When a group of Northwestern players announced plans to form a union, Jay Bilas’ phone started to ring. That was natural as he has become a key voice, if not the prime voice, on the pay-for-play issue in college sports.
The ESPN college basketball analyst has been extremely outspoken in his contention that the NCAA system is grossly unfair to athletes. Like it or not, the 6-foot-8 former Duke forward’s pointed views have made him an even bigger man in this heated debate.
“I’m a little bit torn about it,” Bilas said. “I’m not stupid. I realize I’d be better off if I kept my mouth shut. Listen, I’m a cheerleader for college basketball. This is a great sport, but it doesn’t mean everything is right with it.”
Bilas long has railed about the big money going to coaches and administrators, not to the mention the millions to construct lavish athletic facilities. Yet the athletes don’t receive a dime beyond their scholarships, even if the university sells jerseys with some of their names on them.
Bilas can feel the momentum for change building. He insists he is not surprised by what is happening at Northwestern.
“This is pro sports,” Bilas said. “There’s big money involved. The tension between the money that is generated and the amount provided to the athletes, which is basically expenses, is only going to grow. To me, the best thing about what the Northwestern players are doing is starting the conversation where the theories and logic of the NCAA are going to be scrutinized.”
Bilas contends it’s easy to deflate the NCAA’s logic. He knocks down the common arguments that the money isn’t there to pay athletes and that non-revenue sports would have to be cut if such a compensation system was put into place.
“It’s funny how they have the money to pay themselves (the administrators and coaches) first and then say there’s nothing left over for the athletes,” Bilas said. “Why are the athletes on the other end? When people say there’s no way to (pay athletes), that’s just an excuse. They can do everything else, but they can’t figure out this one? We could do this really easily if we wanted to.”
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Coming soon: My complete Q/A with Bilas on the issue.
Bilas is one of the very few individuals who actually uses common sense when it comes to the issues facing college athletes.
He should be in charge of the NCAA in my opinion!
The talk continues to grow that between the Northwestern situation, the O’Bannon lawsuit and the lawsuit by a number of current football players, to say nothing of the veiled threats this August from the Big 10, Big-12 and ACC that changes are coming sooner rather than later.
They can’t come soon enough for me.
Hi Mr. Sherman,
I’ve never responded to anything that has been written in the paper, but I feel I have some idea or a tiny opinion on the subject about athletes being paid to play.
I was fortunate to play football and captain the 1976 Northern Illinois University football team. I say fortunate because everyone does not get a chance to play or start for their team. I think Jay Bilas is all talk. He should practice law more often than being an ESPN analyst. If he came out and said that the programs should be responsible for the welfare of the athlete, like if he/she is hurt and that injury stays with them throughout there lives than they should take care of them. That’s only fair. Isn’t workers’ comp the same thing? Maybe the colleges should make sure that the athlete graduates within 5 years. I say 5 because we know that sports is a 9 month event and there are only a few men and women who can do both full time. Before I get to far from your article in today’s paper, I don’t believe any athletes should get paid for play. Why do I feel this way? Because there is no way you can control cheating. You and I know money is what its all about and history tells us money and College sports doesn’t work. Every young person playing college sports isn’t on a full ride, they do pay something. All athletes would take money if they are offered it, but you cannot control the cheating. Does the system need to be more honest and caring for the athletes that bring in the money? Yes. We also need the athlete to be responsible for their actions also.
Here’s one for Bilas, no freshman can play (that might help their GPA). Oh no the super star will not come, the PRO’s might change their ways. College gives the athlete a opportunity that few get, a free Education if they work at it. I know the system is broken but college should not be a Farm System for the next level. The super star should just go that route from the beginning and college athletics will be what it started out to be, fun. Regarding Northwestern Athletes, move on with your lives.
If you get this or not I got stuff off my chest. If they do start to pay for play can I sue for back wages?
Tim Miller