Paying players

[esplanade91]

A little odd of a topic to bring up at this time...

But I got all domesticated on some PBR watching America flex its muscles tonight on international TV and ended up watching the 30 for 30 on SMU...

Switching to educated serious talk: Let me preface this comment by saying that I wish the best for every single one of our student athletes. I think guys like Robert Elliot deserve everything they want in life. Even though he never seriously contributed to the field, he gave 110% and I will always respect him for that.

But this paying players is getting ridiculous. You get paid $0 in high school but you do it because you love it, and you hope you get looks by college. You go to college... AND YOU GET A FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION!!!! If that was your goal, that's basically a $40,000+ value right there! In your life your career earnings vs a GED or high school diploma are over a million more. The "paying players" discussion needs to end, because hypothetically speaking we're giving our players $1,000,000 each to come to MSU.

Obviously that sounds ignorant, but we're a Mississippi school. It doesn't take a genius to know that 1) we're a poor state 2) we're a handicapped state when it comes to public education 3) African-Americans make up a lower percentage of Mississippians receiving college degrees 4) African-Americans make up over 85% of our roster every year.

In a perfect world, I'd want Johnthan Banks to get every single penny from our athletic department this year, but ESPN and everyone need to stop this... because we are paying players. I pay $5,000-$8,000 a year to go to college... scholarship players get that waived and an allowance.

So a team, be it LSU, Ole Miss, MSU, or whoever... they deserve to make money on amateur athletes... they front the bill for these kids so they can make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in the future.

Discuss.

 

[DerHntr]

The scholarship gives them the chance to earn an education and a degree, and then they have a better chance to land a job and start a career that allows them to earn an extra million. Notice the word "earn" in that last sentence? I earned my degrees and my money afterward. The only difference is I paid out of pocket and they pay for it with their time and physical effort.

 

[NashvilleBulldawg]

I would have thought blacks and whites were our only representation on the roster. Didn't know we had 85% immigrated Africans.

I completely agree about paying players. They're getting a FREE education. Not to mention all the benefits that come with being a former player whether it's with Bama, State, or the bears.

Boo-hoo! Po' ol'college athletes playing for their diploma. They have it so hard. The man is forcing them to play a sport they (hopefully) love, and they want to get paid for doing so? Skip college. Go try out for a pro team. Stop your freaking whining!

 

[NTDawg]

Why not pay who is responsible? Hell even a student worker makes a little cash and they don't work near the number of hours that these athletes do. I just believe they deserve a little walking around cash to go to the movies and **** like that.

Hope you enjoyed your PBR. I've looking for PBR in bottle (I'm classy that way). Korger (west) in Madison used to have them but they don't anymore.

 

[NashvilleBulldawg]

Are you a fan because you love MSU or because you love the players? We go to see MSU play, not individual players.
You supporters act as if they aren't getting anything for compensation. They get an education (whether they take advantage of that op or is their decision), room and board, CLOTHES, and FOOD. Have I mentioned the FREE tutors and top-notch guidance? My advisor was crap and I was PAYING for that. I paid for that education for many years afterwards. Those scholarship players won't know what it's like having to work many years to pay off their college education. "Walking around money"? Give me a break. Where was MY walking around money? Where's my walking around money for advertising for MSU? Why'd I have to pay for a shirt with "MSU" on it? Or a sticker for my truck?
Child please...</p>

 

[NTDawg]

Back in the day when I was in college, I always had a job. At times I worked for the university and other times worked elsewhere. I did this so I could pay for things and have some cash to do things. I was able to do this and I know I wasn't putting in near the number of hours that they are.In addition,I wasn't doing anything that generated any money for the university, the program was but nobody was showing up to chear me on while I was working at the Forrest Products Lab.

Just my opinion. I don't think that there is an absolute right or wrong on this issue, kind of like most issues in life.

 

[NTDawg]

if they do anything else (student work or research assistant) for the university they get paid. Hell some get paid a stipend and they don't do anything but go to school. That's life the best students get more money and the best athletes should get something too. Just my opinion.

 

[MaroonedNdaRock]

Can someone explain exactly how student-athletes receive their funds from scholarships? Is the money paid directly to bursars office? Is there enough funds to cover tuition and then the remainder is given to the athlete? I ask because I have a friend whose son plays for Memphis. He started as a walk on and is now a scholarship player. I have heard the dad say it is nice that his son has money now to buy meals and spending money. Yes, I asked if he got money to buy meals from his scholarship. No, it isn't extra benefits.

 

[LBC.sixpack]

other people who work for the football team (Filmers, physical trainers, and managers usually) get paid a small stipend for days they work that aren't school days. For example, when they go to practice 2-3 weeks before everyone comes to school they get a check for something around $30+ a day so they can get upwards of $400 All of which is completely legal by the NCAA. This is of course in addition to whatever meal plan the players are usually put on through their scholarship. So all in all between getting ~400 for fall practice, ~400 for bowl practice, and ~30 dollars for playing every sunday(those that dress) they make a decent bit during the season.

 

[NashvilleBulldawg]

if they do anything else (student work or research assistant) for the university they get paid. Hell some get paid a stipend and they don't do anything but go to school.

Are the players forbidden from doing extra stuff for that extra cash like these scholars you've mentioned?

And, as I'm not aware of any extra "stipend", I can only imagine that "stipend" is actually getting cash back from the excess of scholarships those students are awarded. I know of people who had more scholarship money than tuition costs and thus got money back that was used for whatever expenses. Maybe, if those people whining for extra spending money, should apply for extra scholarships! There's a thought.
And for the record, I'm not worked up, but passionate when people get to complaining about silly issues. Imagine all of the people who can't/don't go to college due to costs and here are people getting free rides complaining about money. People today have never heard of sacrifice unless it's someone else having to do it.

 

[codeDawg]

What you are saying is apples and oranges. You didn't get a lot from the university because you didn't contribute jack. Nobody was going to give MSU anything to watch you fail out of class and beat off to pictures of sorority chicks you could never bag.<div>
</div><div>These guys are working more hours per week than 99% of college students, generating millions of dollars in revenue, entertaining hundreds of thousands of alumni and fans, all the while being told that they can't accept any assistance outside of the university. <div>
</div><div>This is not an argument for or against paying players, but to say that they are ungrateful because you had to pay for your education is BS.</div> </div>

 

[RonnyAtmosphere]

...the free education aspect aside, college athletes are entertainers.


And in American culture, entertainers get paid.


That's just how it is.

 

[NashvilleBulldawg]

if State sucked at athletics? You would never go just to support the team?

And you don't think having their education paid for is enough, huh? All the revenue "they" create for the university, which pays for the new stadium, new facilities, et al for them and future players isn't enough?

Hell, I'd have played for half my tuition, but guess what? I would have been beaten out by someone more talented who acknowledges that all they would get as far as benefits is "only" a free ride with meals and board. I'd have been a tackling dummy for the free room and board alone.

Maybe hs players should be paid because of the revenue they bring in?

Again, the point is: how is a free college education NOT compensation? Do you insist on getting a percentage of revenue for money you bring in for your company or do you "accept" the regular paycheck?

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

The NFL needs a farm club system similar to what MLB has. That way kids with football skilz but crap for brains or simply no desire for a college education can get paid meager wages for semipro football as they try out for the NFL. Kids who appreciate a college education could then accept scholarships at universities. I'd support maybe a $250 to $300 monthly stipend for football players since they don't have time for a part time job while enrolled in college. Other than that, they are already getting a heck of a deal with a free ride at four year universities.

 

[codeDawg]

Of course I would support MSU win or lose because I am an alumni. That doesn't have anything to do with paying or not paying players.<div>
</div><div>Let me answer your question with another question. Why do you think it is fair for the NCAA to limit what someone can be compensated for the work that they do? What if your job said that because of your age and because they had a monopoly on the job market, you can only be paid $35K a year, but your boss can be paid $2 million because his salary is based on market value and not regulated.</div><div>
</div><div>Let's not pretend that kids are coming to MSU because they love the school and want to do something to contribute to the greater good and leave a legacy. These kids are here to better themselves and possibly make it into the league. Given the choice of graduating from MSU or going to the NFL, 99% of them are gone to play professionally.</div><div>
</div><div>And yes, college education is compensation, but it is not fair compensation for the value they provide. Of course you would have taken some of your tuition paid, but here's the deal. These kids are the best at what they do, so that's why people pay money to go see them. Nobody wants to pay to see you get your *** kicked around practice or make spreadsheets or shovel **** or whatever you do for a living. 50K+ people want to pay to see JB get a couple of pick 6's against Florida. THAT is why he is worth more than you.</div><div>
</div><div>Now let's get to why you care. It's one of two things. Either (1) you have not been able to accomplish anything in your life and you feel it is unfair that others succeed with their God given talent while you work your *** off at something of very low value, or (2) you want to protect your precious Saturdays in the Junction and at DWS because you know if players are allowed to be paid MSU will never be able to compete at the level of the Alabama's and USC's and UTexas' of the world.</div><div>
</div><div>If it's 1, get over yourself. If it's 2, stop being a selfish SOB. Legalizing paying players will change the landscape of college football. More than likely it will relegate the MSU's and Ole Miss' of the world to a mid-tier conference with other schools whose alumni can't run with the big schools. We won't have the big talents, we won't be in the prime time games, but you know what, the purity of the sport as a piece of the educational institution just might return. If all of this comes to be, I'll still be in Starkville on Saturday's in the fall, tailgating in the Junction with my family, and singing Hail State in Davis Wade Stadium.</div>

 

[gravedigger]

It has to do with the idea that there is just no feasible way to do it AND pretend to attempt at a level playing field.

What we have now resembles a pro system anyway. Big $programs get away with things more often than smaller ones. But once the money, no matter how big or small is allowed, it virtually guarantees a loss of competition.

THe athletes deserve it. But the game will never survive if it's attempted.