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Ohio State Football: NCAA may be ‘Right on the Money’

By Charlie Lockhart

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes on the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes on the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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It’s often mentioned college athletes should get paid for playing. It’s possible the NCAA may have found the correct way to make it happen.

When the yearly talk about how college players should be paid begins I cringe. It aggravates me as much as the first frost in October.

With the latter, I know bad weather is about to set in. When talking heads begin telling us why universities should pay players I know it will be just as irritating. However, recent proposals the NCAA is considering makes sense.

Instead of universities paying players, they will be allowed to make money from endorsements, personal appearances and other business ventures, per CBS Sports.com. Gee, a free market solution with no cost to the universities they play for.

I have never been in favor of universities paying players above and beyond their scholarship, other benefits that come with it and a stipend. But never did I think they shouldn’t be allowed to earn some extra cash.

It’s difficult for players to do so today with the current situation, and here’s why.

For much of the 50+ years I have followed football players would work part-time jobs while going to school during the offseason. Then they could work full-time in June and July before preseason camp began.

Today, players don’t have the time to do so because training is a year round situation. If the NCAA passes the new legislation a player could schedule a few hours for a commercial, get his picture taken for an ad or meet and greet fans.

He could earn some extra money during his down time, and what’s wrong with that?

I know there will be some corruption if this legislation passes, but college football has dealt with that issue since the first forward pass was thrown. Strict guidelines, stricter enforcement and harsh penalties for those who break the rules will keep it to a minimum.

Next. Evaluating Big Ten teams after NFL Draft. dark

It could even level the playing field some. A fan favorite for an up and coming team may make big money with endorsements. A four star recruit may think he could be that next guy and choose that school over a powerhouse. It could happen, but in any event players could earn some money and I don’t see much of a downside to that.

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