I know that I'm probably in the minority here, but I am of the opinion that college athletes have always been "paid." I personally consider a full ride scholarship, with tuition, fees, books, room, and board completely covered, to be rather significant payment, especially given the fact that for some schools this benefit can reach well into six figures.

I do get the original spirit of the NIL: that if some car dealership, restaurant, video game company, etc. wants to use a collegiate athlete to advertise their business, the business should be allowed to, and the athlete should be compensated for it. But the NIL has opened up a huge can of worms that, like Dementia Joe, I worry is going to lead to several of the mid majors not having the resources to compete. If that happens they will have no choice but to drop athletics, which will cut the access to college for countless athletes. That, to me, would be a tragedy.

KaneFan29 said:

To be fair though, it wasn’t until the 90s when college sports were big time. I think what’s going on now is outrageous. There needs to be a middle ground or else this model is unsustainable. Eventually fans will stop caring and watching. Then everything resets.

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I disagree. Fans will never stop watching. Case in point: Dallas Cowboys

Before you know it high school players are gonna want to get paid.

How about the little Leaguers?? How much does ESPN make from the Little League World Series??

jdubb66 said:

BYU does that already. They have grown men with families playing against 20 year olds.

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Yes, the reason I mentioned them was because you can redshirt and go on a mission for 2 years. Now add another 2 years of a JUCO to that.

JCorona said:

Tarleton went up 10 spots in the net while Oklahoma St dropped 8 after that game.

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Tarleton is 1-10 vs D1, their NET ranking is irrelevant.

KaneFan29 said:

To be fair though, it wasn’t until the 90s when college sports were big time. I think what’s going on now is outrageous. There needs to be a middle ground or else this model is unsustainable. Eventually fans will stop caring and watching. Then everything resets.

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The one percenters of athletes have ruined college athletics for the other 99% who will never turn pro, other than in the professions earned by their college degrees. Are the athletes themselves to blame, or shady agents and influencers who are in the ears of these athletes? The day will come when colleges who can’t afford to pay athletes will dissolve their athletic programs. Who benefits then? The elite and rich colleges will continue on of course. But now the other 99% won’t have opportunities for a scholarship and free ride towards a degree. Who wins at the end? The current system is broken and is only getting worse.

JCorona said:

For decades, the NCAA has profited from the hard work and talent of student athletes, generating billions in revenue while restricting athletes from earning anything for themselves. Now that these athletes are finally pushing back some are expressing outrage. However, this shift is long overdue, a step toward fairness in a system that has disproportionately benefited institutions while limiting the opportunities of the very individuals who make it all possible.

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To be fair though, it wasn’t until the 90s when college sports were big time. I think what’s going on now is outrageous. There needs to be a middle ground or else this model is unsustainable. Eventually fans will stop caring and watching. Then everything resets.

JCorona said:

It might not just be about the fans or the programs, but it feels like there’s never been a better time to be an athlete.

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And to think they could have settled this years ago by giving them $2000 a month and letting them sign autographs or make personal appearances. Now we have this.

Rocketsr said:

That is absolutely crazy. You will have 26 year olds playing college football, or basketball.

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BYU does that already. They have grown men with families playing against 20 year olds.

Nothing good is happening in college athletics these days.

Rocketsr said:

That is absolutely crazy. You will have 26 year olds playing college football, or basketball.

Imagine that scenario as I am told by Alabama that they will take me in a couple of years as a Freshman, after playing 2 years on a JUCO (essentially a JV team), then I come in and red shirt another year. If I go to BYU, I might as well red shirt and go on a mission for 2 years as well.

This will only help the big schools as they will use JUCO schools with overflow players to build them up and come in as Freshmen. I just don't see how this is good for college football, or specifically for the non Power 5 conferences.

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Was this the Diego Pavia lawsuit?

Yeah it is definitely a game changer. Why recruit High Schools when you can get a 20-21 year old with 2 years of College and 4 years left.

These High School kids leave after a season or two anyway, now you get to recruit grown men.

Now would be a great time for EPCC to start a program.

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UTEP is gonna have to start competing with JUCOS for kids because they are not gonna want to come waste 2 of their 4 years at a smaller D-1, they can get noticed within 2 years by a big D-1 at a JUCO without using 2 years of eligibility.

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utep2step said:

Game summary of the Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Tarleton State Texans NCAAM game, final score 66-61, from December 18, 2024 on ESPN.

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Their best wins are a neutral court win vs 4-7 Miami and at 5-7 Seton Hall. Very impressive team there!!!!

KaneFan29 said:

This team lost by 60 to Baylor and this game is their only single digit loss all year.

But yeah, we’re going to win CUSA

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Game summary of the Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Tarleton State Texans NCAAM game, final score 66-61, from December 18, 2024 on ESPN. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401719220/tarleton-st-oklahoma-st
via @ESPN App http://espn.com/app

Rocketsr said:

That is absolutely crazy. You will have 26 year olds playing college football, or basketball.

Imagine that scenario as I am told by Alabama that they will take me in a couple of years as a Freshman, after playing 2 years on a JUCO (essentially a JV team), then I come in and red shirt another year. If I go to BYU, I might as well red shirt and go on a mission for 2 years as well.

This will only help the big schools as they will use JUCO schools with overflow players to build them up and come in as Freshmen. I just don't see how this is good for college football, or specifically for the non Power 5 conferences.

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Alabama just started begging for more NIL money today. They’re not going to pay some JUCO to stash players. The guys going to JUCO won’t have the D1 NIL money. Still not desirable for them.

minerfan_14 said:

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That is absolutely crazy. You will have 26 year olds playing college football, or basketball.

Imagine that scenario as I am told by Alabama that they will take me in a couple of years as a Freshman, after playing 2 years on a JUCO (essentially a JV team), then I come in and red shirt another year. If I go to BYU, I might as well red shirt and go on a mission for 2 years as well.

This will only help the big schools as they will use JUCO schools with overflow players to build them up and come in as Freshmen. I just don't see how this is good for college football, or specifically for the non Power 5 conferences.