| Limeade-(SOAPBOX) As long as everybody has their finger in the pie and as long as the schools allow everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY, i.e., athletic departments, conferences, bowl game associations, corporations, sponsors, television networks, radio networks, sports channels, internet companies, sports medicine companies, apparel companies, shoe companies, sports equipment companies, turf companies, stadiums, travel agencies, airlines, bus companies, schools alumni, and the NCAA in general to have their damn fingers in the pie that is college football, it will NEVER change. The reason they get so damn upset when the players get paid in some way, is because it sets the wrong example that these kids should get paid and reduces the amount of money in the total 'pie.' They are not looking out for the amateur athlete, they are looking out for themselves so that they can keep a continuous flow of 'free employees' to keep the 'pie' running. Yes, some of the kids do get scholarships. But the greatest amount of players to keep the whole thing running are walk-ons or what we used to call 'nugs.' If you get hurt, well, that's just tough. The only thing they want is to get the fresh crop of blue chip 'employees' to replace the ones that are hurt or left for the professional ranks. They have figured out how to make MORE money by putting together a 4 team playoff system, add 3 more (bowl)playoff games, more sponsors, etc., so as to increase the size of the pie, and get the general public off their backs about instituting a playoff system! At the end of the day, the players get screwed, the fans get screwed, everybody with their finger in the pie gets more money, we still don't have a legitimate playoff system, and nothing has changed. (Whew, stepping off soapbox) Try saying all of that in one breath! Too bad it falls on deaf ears. |