Dabo's $30 million contract???

[chick_bleeds_carolina_blue]

So I just saw that Clemson's Dabo Sweeney just signed for five more years and $30 million dollars and he had the nerve to say that his players did not deserve any compensation at all, because "these kids are not entitled?"

I am not saying give these kids the big bucks because they are at least allowed to get a good education should they choose to focus on that as well, but I see no problem with giving them a little extra since they don't really have time to work a job like other college students and as far as I am concerned, practicing like they do every day (and I have drove by in the middle of this HOT, humid Clemson summer and seen them) and juggling classes with the travel schedules they sometimes have, etc. they should be compensated a bit or at least let them earn a sort of savings account type thing so that if they complete four years, they can receive a bonus that has accrued....they deserve something other than their tuition paid (which is already over-priced in my opinion). How much is one's time really worth??? wow! $30 million?? Okay, you all can "yell" at me now, I am sure some will have a problem with paying these kids. lol

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Nope. The tennis and soccer players have just as many demands on their time and practice just as hard. They're student-athletes. If you want to start a developmental league for the pros and pay athletes, fine, but as long as they're playing for colleges they shouldn't be paid. They already get a full scholarship which covers not only their tuition but room and board and basic living expenses. The value of that at UNC ranges from ~$25k/year to upwards of $50k for out-of-state. Duke's is $70k+. That's a pretty solid paycheck for an 18-year-old.

I fully agree that the money involved is crazy, and it's nuts that we pay a coach millions of dollars a year while the best professors make a fraction of that. But paying student-athletes is not the answer.

 

[UNC71-00]

If you want to pay college players, you need to blow the whole system to smithereens and create an entirely new model.

 

[heelmanwilm]

Tv contracts, bowl money make these contracts possible. I think kids that help create revenue in revenue sports should have money put into a fund that they can access if they graduate. That would take care of the oad prob in bball as well. I'm sure theres lots of holes in that idea but its a starting point.

 

[chick_bleeds_carolina_blue]

Nope. The tennis and soccer players have just as many demands on their time and practice just as hard. They're student-athletes. If you want to start a developmental league for the pros and pay athletes, fine, but as long as they're playing for colleges they shouldn't be paid. They already get a full scholarship which covers not only their tuition but room and board and basic living expenses. The value of that at UNC ranges from ~$25k/year to upwards of $50k for out-of-state. Duke's is $70k+. That's a pretty solid paycheck for an 18-year-old.

I fully agree that the money involved is crazy, and it's nuts that we pay a coach millions of dollars a year while the best professors make a fraction of that. But paying student-athletes is not the answer.

I agree that the tuition is a great payment to the athletes IF they are there to actually get a degree but some of them are recruited simply because they are good athletes and have zero desire to further their education.

Yes, all athletes should be covered under the same rules as well, not just the football and basketball players. I guess I personally would like to see something done for them because they bring big money into these programs and they could at least leave with something especially if they're names and numbers are used to sell stuff and make more money for the school. I am not thinking they need tens of thousands of dollars or anything like that, just a little savings they get when they graduate, especially since a lot of them do not go on to the pros (football mostly). I dunno... maybe I am being too much of a softie over it.... oh well.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

The higher profile sport athletes (i.e. football and basketball) already do get paid stipends by the way. The athletes claiming they're broke are lying.

If you want to pay players, fine, go for it. Carolina is in a good position if that happens. But I hope none of y'all have a soft spot for Wake Forest or App State or any school of that ilk, because their athletic departments won't be able to compete in the highest division.

Amateurism is stupid and always has been, but it's a necessity if you want to continue the current system of competition. Schools have vastly different level of spending power and booster donations. Not paying the players is what keeps it a somewhat level playing field.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

I think the players should get a little bit, but something that is uniform throughout - so that the Bama's of the world don't just start paying players millions. And make it contingent upon graduating. Say every scholarship athlete in football and basketball receives $50,000 tax-free (obviously it would still be taxed, so the school would also have to pick up the tax bill) upon graduation if they were a scholarship athlete all 4 years they were in school. Maybe make some stipulations that prorate it: if someone graduates in 3 years then leaves for the pros they get $37,500, if someone walked on for their freshman/sophomore years, and was scholarship for junior/senior - they receive $25,000. This would at least give some incentive for graduating (well, beyond the obvious that graduating gets you a degree that you can later use to benefit yourself).

While $50k tax-free doesn't seem like a ton, I don't know many other college students that attend college for free, and then leave with $50k from work they did while at college. If a player leaves college early for the pros, or without graduating - then they forfeit their $50k. Also, if the NCAA and the Universities are starting to rake in too much money, to the point that they are found to legally need to start paying players - they can always lower ticket prices to make the events more affordable for the non-athlete students and other fans. I feel like they should get all they can on the TV deals (which ultimately the fans pay for anyways after it trickles down, but still) - but make tickets cheaper for the fans. If UNC for example is raking in money from football and basketball, and they don't want to pay the players a proper portion, then they should make damn sure that Kenan and the Dean Dome never have an empty seat. Sell the tickets for $1 if needed.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Agreed with your sentiments about ticket sales. This will have to be the case in pro sports too because it's so much easier to watch on TV than go to a game. Owners will have to start selling tickets for like $10.