Everyone is so concerned about "collegiate athletics." There are those that say they are students first. They should be happy with their scholarship. That is more than enough in exchange for playing sports. On the other hand, there is the side that say the money making sport athletes need to be paid some sort of stipend. The only problem is title 9 won't allow that to happen because if the school gives money to the star football player they will have to also give money to the last person sitting on the bench of the college bowling team.
In today's world, the system is broken. The schools and the NCAA are constantly playing catch up "trying" to police the programs. When problems are found, the athlete jumps to the NFL or NBA to make millions with no troubles and the program, and more importantly, the innocent student-athletes left behind, suffer.
Here is my solution... no change to the current system if the school is a state school. The student-athlete gets the scholarship (if they are given one). They get the training, the tutoring, the meals, the housing etc. They do not get any actual money from the school/state. If the school is a private school, they can offer whatever they wish to offer.
Here is the real kicker for the athlete... outside of the program they are welcome to get whatever they can get legally (prostitution, drugs etc. are still illegal even if I don't agree). If they can earn money signing shirts, go for it. If they get invited out on a party cruise, have a blast. If the local car dealer wants to give them an exotic sports car, take it. The catch? It all has to be above board and reported as income.
Your average player isn't going to get much of anything. If you are not a star, you are not going to make much. You will get your schooling and that is about it. You might get a free lunch at the local dive if you agree to show up wearing your jersey. You are welcome to try to work whatever deal you can. You will move on in life with a college degree if you choose to finish and live happily ever after. These are the people that fit the philosophy of "I don't know what they are complaining about. They get a free education".
If you are a star, you are going to get tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars of benefits. Good for you. The only players that ever really cause problems with serious money involved are players with a strong chance of moving on to the pros. If you do it the right way, you make a lot of money, report it as income as you go and pay taxes on it. If you do it the wrong way, you make a lot of money, don't report it as income and then suffer fines and penalties. A majority of these players will move on to the pros so the money will be easy to collect by the IRS (as much as I am not a fan).
Tell me what major change this would have on college sports other than breaking down the facade of innocence? Most of the top teams would remain the top teams. Most of the top players would remain the top players. Most of the athletes that are going to school for an education are going to leave school with their education. The best part, I won't hear anymore "shocking" stories of players taking benefits that violate NCAA rules. Welcome to capitalism.
