Most of the 3000+ D1 WCBB players are getting about $200,000 dollars worth of education/room/board for free and will never earn a dime playing pro ball. In return they return significant hours per week in practice, training, and games/travel. Not sure of the total hours involved, but a typical college kid working to pay their way probably earns under $15/hr so to earn $200,000 they would need to work 13,333 hours or about 333 40 hr. weeks to leave college debt free or about 6.5 years without a vacation.
So it isn't that bad a contract that they sign with their NLI. And they can walk away from it any time they want. If they change schools or get injured they get an extra $50,000 for a fifth year if they want it to start their graduate program. The NCAA doesn't 'own them' and the schools are generally losing money by keeping the program running.
For the very few players that actually have the potential to play professionally, they get in addition to the tuition room and board, free access to coaches, trainers, and generally very good facilities as well as access to very good medical facilities and doctors. They also get the time, the competition against other talented players and the exposure to enhance their value to professional employers.
Even in the money sports of MBB and FB, there are very few players who are ready as HS graduates to become pros and they need at least a year or two in a college program to enhance their value - giving a year or two of free development probably increases their first contract by millions of dollars - pretty good payback for a year or two.
So ... yeah, for some people their college experience sucks, but for D1 WCBB players at least they aren't paying a dime for it. There aren't that many true terrible situations in any sport and unfortunately Klara seems to have chosen two in a row, though the TCU new coach actually seems to be doing a fine job and Klara was just unlucky to be unsuitable to her style. And that isn't her fault. (Don't forget that Geno and CD lost some players from the team they inherited 30 years ago but it turned out well.) I agree that the AD should look into the situation at SMU with Mays as it sounds toxic. But remember that Duke and KY both seemed pretty toxic a few years ago and things seemed to have settled well at both schools.
The idea that a sit out year is this terrible penalty is bogus to me. I get the frustration of fans with seeming inconsistency with how waivers come down but it still isn't onerous.
Uc, I've always respected you point of view and often look forward to your comments. But here I think you're dead wrong.
This argument, they're getting a free education, the addendum of which is "just shut up and play", has always seemed to me shortsighted, convenient, and in the end, specious.
Yes, these D1 athletes receive their education for free, and most do not go on to become professionals. Yes, women's sports are supported mainly by the success of men sports, particularly football. But for the small outlay these colleges provide for their education these athletes are in actuality disposable mules for the mega millions these colleges receive because of intercollegiate sports.
You say most colleges report a loss in revenue because of sports, and that is clearly true: As reported. I say these colleges aren't factoring in boosters, alumni, media rights, endorsements, paraphernalia, and many unreported under the table contributions. This is where most colleges recoup their loses. Also college sports as a recruiting tactic for non athletes is an important factor.
Many of these athletes are trading long term health issues for the short term. Some of these injuries in the future will prove catastrophic. You say they have free access to coaches, trainers and very good medical facilities. All true. But these facilities are there to move the athlete from IR to suiting up, and as soon as possible. Some injuries are never reported. Many injuries are never properly dealt with because of the need for the university to see results on the field of play. Many of these injuries become chronic or acute problems throughout their lives. Many of these injuries have an unfortunate ripple effect within their families and their circle of friends. Most of these athletes, future professionals or not, will never enter the field for which they get their degree and never see the specific benefit of that education. Many of these players continue through life after sports with a sense of underachievement or failure which affects their job performance and a personal and social perspective of a life unfulfilled. Remember as well, this is not a world built for the oversized, and many will continue life feeling out of place.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not here to trumpet some sort of "woe is the poor student athlete". It's a great life, and I would highly recommend it. But "take your medicine and you'll like it" is just wrong to me.
...and if you think sitting out a year isn't a terrible penalty then you've never competed.
