2018 Resolution: Give the Benefit of the Doubt

by with 6 Comments FeaturedSports

In 2018, give everyone the benefit of the doubt. When someone challenges you in any way, whether in person or even on a Facebook post, assign them the best of possible intentions. Never villainize anyone. Imagine everyone as being the proverbial “Good Guy” in their own life’s story and therefore assume that their personal ethical code is meant to achieve the greatest good (for at least them, if not everyone else).

Think about a funeral. When reflecting on the recently departed, it is rare to hear slanderous and humiliating stories of misdeeds. More likely (except in rare cases of the truly miserable), the chatter and reflection on the deceased is almost fictionally flattering and fond.

This “photoshopping of character” is much more tenable postmortem. But it begs the question: why do we ever portray each other in a negative light? Is it to cast aspersions on someone who maintains an ethical position opposite our own? Is it out of jealousy? Is it because we see the possibly harmful ramifications of someone else’s actions and wish to manipulate their behavior via biting criticism?

Whatever the reason, framing another person in the worst possible light can only be detrimental to all parties. 2017 showed us how division and character assassination can be so poisonous and fatiguing to the National psyche. Maybe bridging the divide this year could be so much more attainable by appealing to the best in one another.

Let us refuse to hate those we disagree with and let us refuse to think about the world in terms of good and evil. We are all good. We are all worthy of love. We are all trying to live (and live well). We may have different ideas about what is best, but moving hearts and minds toward their greatest potential can never start with contempt.

In 2018: patience, positivity, optimism, and always the benefit of the doubt.

[2017 In Review] Kaepernick Vs. The NFL… The LCR Responds…

by with 3 Comments Sports

Kaepernick certainly made his mark in 2017, and whether you agree with his position or not, he sparked a national conversation that everyone was forced to address. While the protests might be dying down, NFL viewership took a huge hit and even the President surprisingly jumped into the conversation.

Many people thought Kaepernick and other players were disrespecting the military despite Kaepernick saying his peaceful protest had nothing to do with the military. Many people chose to focus on the actual protests instead of WHY they chose to protest in the first place, which was police brutality and social injustice. How convenient and comfortable to focus on the former and not the latter?  

Different perspectives matter. We asked 5 of our contributors with different political views to weigh in on the Colin Kaepernick situation during the height of the protests earlier this year, and this is what they had to say…

“As someone who has worked in sports, I have tried to understand Colin Kaepernick’s dilemma in light of some athletes with less than perfect pasts. Michael Vick is one of the first names that comes to mind. He was involved in dogfighting, which led him to serve 18 months in prison. Just months after his release, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles and went on to sign a $100M contract. Regardless of his wrongful actions, Vick continued his NFL career. | Ben Roethlisberger was accused of sexual assault on multiple occasions. His actions led him to being suspended for four games because he was found to be in violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Regardless of his wrongful actions, Roethlisberger continues his NFL career. | Colin Kaepernick is not a convicted felon, he has not been accused of any crimes, nor did he commit any acts deeming him worthy of suspension. He peacefully protested by not standing for the national anthem, and he consistently works to achieve social justice for his community. Yet, he still remains unsigned while the Miami Dolphins recently pulled Jay Cutler out of retirement to fill an open roster spot. There are clearly other factors in play aside from athletic ability. Some NFL owners are claiming that they are concerned about the reactions of their fan bases if they were to sign Colin Kaepernick. Let’s assume that this is a legitimate concern. There have been NFL teams who signed convicted felons and athletes accused of committing serious crimes. If owners are more hesitant to sign a social activist than a convicted felon, what does that say about the fan base they are catering to?” – Muslim Female Democrat

“Professional athletes are in large part entertainers – and public desire to tune in is why they’re paid. Most often, if they don’t introduce their views into the game, that means their athletic ability and future prospects drive their earnings potential. Kaepernick’s difficulty isn’t that different than the issue a local businessman has when he runs for local office – not everybody likes it, and some customers walk. Publicly speaking about a controversial topic is generally not a good business idea if that’s his first concern, and if owners believe he hurts their franchise value and their own personal brand image, it will be reflected in his value as a player. I disagree with Kaepernick’s method of protest, because I thought it was disrespectful to veterans. I do respect deeply his right to make his statement as an American with the right of free speech.  But now he’s discovering what many veterans have known for a long time in defending the rights of citizens – that freedom isn’t free.” – Right Army Veteran

“Are NFL owners anti-controversy? Their support of players who have been arrested throughout the league (1 in 40 each year) suggests not. Is Kaepernick truly just not a good enough Quarterback to make a roster? His performance over the last 6 seasons and Super Bowl experience suggest this is not the case. Is the NFL racist? I don’t know for certain, but if so I believe racism is only one part of a larger issue here. “Us vs. Them” is the driving force behind the Kaepernick snub. He’s not doing what the NFL thinks everyone ought to do: fall in line and support the flag, the League, the Country. Consequently, it seems he is being blacklisted (ironic terminology intended). Many White athletes protested the National Anthem in the 60’s over conscription, Vietnam, civil rights, etc. There were cases of school expulsions, verbal abuse, and public ostracization. This demonstrates that when someone protests against the Status Quo – regardless of Race – there will be a backlash. It takes courage to make a stand against something you think is wrong and if you are not in the majority, there will be consequences. For tearing up a picture of the Pope on live television in protest of the Catholic Church’s well-documented history of child abuse scandals and cover-ups, Sinead O’Connor nearly lost her entire music career. If Colin Kaepernick’s intention is to create controversy to draw attention to an issue that he believes in, then this current NFL spurn might be more helpful than harmful to his cause.” – Unaffiliated Humanist Musician

“Let’s be honest. Kaepernick doesn’t have a job right now because owners see him as a liability and distraction.  The issues Kaepernick represents are the very ones they want to ignore – and it probably doesn’t help that New York plans on holding a major rally for him. But let’s be even more honest, if Kaepernick had won a Super Bowl or was a huge star, these issues would probably be overlooked, i.e. Ray Lewis. Kaepernick may not be the same athlete to be considered a starter, but physically he could still be a mentoring 3rd string QB.  If Mark Sanchez still has a job, then whay can’t Kaepernick? Sanchez stays quiet and doesn’t ignite the public – but that doesn’t mean Colin should be quiet on the issues that are most important to him. | What makes Kaepernick different from Ray Lewis, Michael Vick, and the majority of the Cincinnati Bengals? Kaepernick represents a social injustice issue that he is standing up for while the others were individual incidents that one can be apologetic, reprimanded, and or proven/deemed innocent.” – Independent Marketing Pro

“A man of color who stands his ground on an issue that he feels passionate about risks his successful career to stand tall and stick up his middle finger to White America. We want our men to be strong and stand for something; yet, White America wants to dictate what that “something” is. Nothing in his contract dictates that he has to forego his moral beliefs in order to use his talent to make the the NFL millions and millions of dollars. So is White America trying to prove a point by not signing him? How dare them try to tell this grown man what to think and how to feel. Are they just angry because a public figure is taking a public stand against the racist core of America? The truth hurts.  Kaepernick should be applauded for his courage and lack of desire to sell out for a few pennies… Stand tall my Brother.” – Apolitical Elected Official

This article was originally published on 9 August 2017.

Just Play, We Know What’s Best

by with One Comment Sports

Despite sports by design being inherently fair, the application and business of sports, is yet another subject of the jaded rules and positions designed to help few and hurt many. Though black players have become the face of the most popular sports in America, they seldom share the power when it comes to their respective sport. 

Sports, the actual play of the game, is by design based on meritocracy. Simply put, if you score the most you win. Except in Golf, but that’s why I don’t watch Golf – is Golf really a sport? Anyway, by sports, I mean competition against another human, and said human stopping you from scoring. So that does not include hunting, for the deer did not sign up to get shot, nor does said deer have anything to shoot back with. So, by sports, I mean Baseball, Tennis, Basketball, and yes even Soccer will count as a sport – all listed are inherently fair.

Once the game ends, there’s an entire business behind sport. The business of sports and its unfairness towards black people in positions of leadership has been a practice dating back to the inception of professional sports being one of great profit. For many black men and women in the business of sports, they’ve experienced an all-star performance from the perennial MVP candidate of racism. However, racism might be playing at a hall of fame level when it pertains to professional and college football.

Rolling Stone magazine did an outstanding piece on the mistreatment of black quarterbacks a few weeks ago. Their piece brilliantly highlighted the recent collusion of Colin Kaepernick by the league as just the latest in a long history of black quarterbacks going through treatment unparalleled to their white colleagues. While white quarterbacks who are products of the mediocracy factor stay in the league for years on end, black quarterbacks exhibiting the same statistical numbers or even better numbers lose starting roles, or their careers come to an abrupt halt. Black quarterbacks also have a smaller window of error than white quarterbacks. 

The most recent example was Tyrod Taylor of the Buffalo Bills being benched due to literally one game of poor play. By the way, the Buffalo Bills gave up 47 points on defense that game. But Head Coach Sean McDermott apparently had seen enough of Tyrod’s one bad game and decided to change his starting Quarterback in favor of his white rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman – though if the Bills season ended at the time they would have been in the playoffs. Peterman proceeded to throw five interceptions in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers, more than Taylor had thrown all season, and despite the terrible performance Coach McDermott stated he saw “good things” from Peterman. He saw good things from a quarterback throwing five interceptions in one game over his starting quarterback who had the Buffalo Bills in the playoff hunt? A playoff berth this year would give the Buffalo Bills their first since 1999. Yes, that 1999, the same year Prince sang about and a year in which we listened to downloaded music from Napster at Boarders.

I cannot recall a time in which a white starting quarterback with a winning record was benched in the middle of a playoff race due to one bad performance for a rookie quarterback. This simply doesn’t happen to white quarterbacks.

It’s important to note this article is referencing only the quarterback position for a reason. For possibly in all team sports, the quarterback is the single most important position. It’s the one position in which all offensive plays start with. On a marketing note, the quarterback is the face of a football franchise. And on a football smarts note; the quarterback is supposed to be most cerebral of all players. The marketing and inherent leadership in which the quarterback brings is the crux of the reluctant reason in placing black players in that role. The same reasons why the NFL lacks black representation at the quarterback position, its younger brother, college football, employs the same practices regarding black quarterbacks. 

Countless black players are recruited in high school from top college programs as quarterbacks. Those players are offered scholarships many times on the contingency they change positions.

Why?

This is done for one simple reason, the primary college football fanbase. The most advent fans in college football are southerners, ironically the most recruits come from the south as well. College programs know their audience. Placing the typical 6’3 clean shaving white quarterback fares much better than the longer hair, or God forbid, dreadlock and/or braid wearing black quarterback.

The trials and tribulations of the black quarterback are one thing; but, it pales in comparison to the plight of a black head coach. The NFL has moved up a peg from laughable after the 2017 offseason hiring of the Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph and the Los Angeles Chargers hiring Anthony Lynn. Though roster composition in the NFL is currently 70% black, only 7 of 32 are holding the clipboard, Ron Rivera being Latino, brings the [minority] total to eight. These numbers are rather bleak given there are 32 teams; however, the numbers would be bleaker if not for the Rooney Rule. Instituted in 2003 and named after Pittsburg Steelers owner Art Rooney, the Rooney rule states teams are required to interview at least one minority candidate when searching for a new head coach. Attention is rightfully drawn to head coaches; however, the Rooney rule does nothing to solve non-head coaching positions. Look at the numbers… 80 of the NFL’s current 85 offensive coordinators, quarterback’s coaches and offensive quality control coaches are white, including all 37 with the word “quarterback” in their titles. See a pattern? 

When comparing college to the NFL, college is a much more ugly and unsettling. There are currently only 14 black head coaches in the FBS, which is Division I, a little under 11% of all colleges. 

What gives? Where’s the outcry and questioning on these lopsided numbers?

The numbers are no different in sports than in a sector like education. Most black students in public education are being taught with little representation by black teachers, especially black male teachers. A student is more likely to be taught by a unicorn, than a black male teacher, which makes up only 2% of the entire public-school system from coast to coast.

The numbers are horrendous and need immediate attention. The recent NFL player protest seems to be a stepping stone towards players finally placing a stake in the ground regarding their respect and voice to the owners and the fans. Despite backlash to the player protests, and possibly those protests being shaken up, football highlights are showing no signs of slowing down the showcasing of black players. Only time will tell if more black people end up behind the plays and decisions that make American sports so great. 

Trump is Clearly a Fan of UCLA Basketball

by with 3 Comments Sports

Before I begin this article, I think it’s important to state that I do not have children. I have no nieces or nephews. I’m rarely in the presence of young people. That includes everyone from those racking up Disney points, to those who voted in the 2008 election. My experience with young people is limited to being a long-term substitute teacher for several months, to law enforcement, to well… that’s about it. And it’s been years since I was either one; however, spoiler alert, the acts and ways of young people don’t change. They will always do naive things without thinking.

The most recent news about the Ball basketball family isn’t Lonzo Ball’s league-worst shooting percentage, the family’s terrible reality show, or the Big Baller Brand’s latest attempt to sell overpriced sporting apparel. It may sound like I don’t like the Ball family, which is led by the Don King and patriarch of the family, Lavar Ball; but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I support Lavar Ball and his outlandish acts, even his more than over the top sound bites. History has shown that when there’s a “Puff Daddy” to the father of Venus and Serena Williams to Flava Flav, a hype man/father/loud supporter of a particular talent, said talent generally does very well. Plus, the family last name is Ball – how cool is that? It’s like a military family with the last name “Sergeant.” And yes, I’ve met a Sergeant Sergeant before. Anyway, I digress.

LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley, and Jalen Hill, all three freshmen of the UCLA Basketball team, decided to make the good (insert sarcasm) decision to steal sunglasses from an upscale and well-monitored store in China. Not Chinatown, New York City, but actual China. Not smart, I get it; however, teenagers and young people, until a real-life experience hits them, make a lot of dumb decisions.

To be clear, this isn’t about a lack of intelligence or common sense, but about the notion that young people are very naïve and arrogant at times. Mix in budding basketball stars of a premier basketball school, no life experience or knowledge regarding the nation they were in, and presto! An arrest for shoplifting, in China.

Speaking of the arrest… before anyone goes on a pious rant that it’s because “Lavar Ball is overbearing” and “poor little LiAngelo is acting out,” or the classic, these young black men with the world given to them “doing something stupid just wanna mess it up,” I’m very sure no player has ever wanted to just give back their fame and potential riches. LiAngelo and the others are doing what every other young person, I would say younger than 25, has and/or will do. That is an act depending on the opportunity, situation, person, etc., something very stupid that will either begin the process of true maturity, or will begin a negative trend of behavior sure to render a consequence that jeopardizes everything. It’s not like young people don’t possess the moral power to do right instead of wrong. But they do lack the need to understand that even the littlest wrongs can have a major impact that comes with major consequences, consequences they don’t foresee.

I will bet any amount of money these young basketball players never took into account that they were in a communist country. China’s legal system and procedures are nothing like the United States’. Another factor – they probably didn’t think they would get caught, or were important enough that if they did get caught they wouldn’t get in trouble. Yes, that has much to do with young athletes being treated like royalty early and far too often; however, that’s not that big of a deal. For the most part, most college and young professional athletes, both men and women, behave accordingly, given the circumstances they could easily act a fool.

Fortunately for the players, ole 45 made a few calls and apparently even Lavar Ball knew a few people, and the players escaped a “Midnight Express” situation. 

Once the players settle back in the U.S. their consequences will probably exceed their crime. The moral joke, which is the NCAA, will likely overreach and make “an example” of them.

In the final analysis, all we can do as responsible adults is stress the importance to young people to think beyond the current, and understand their negative acts last three times longer than their positive ones. We must stress that life is mostly about decision making, and the better one’s life, has much to do with his or her choices. I think young people, including star athletes, generally understand that. This incident was a technical foul they couldn’t argue with the refs about. But it didn’t matter, because as crazy as it sounds, Trump was there to help them win the game.

White Athlete Denounces Trump, Discusses Human Emotion

by with No Comment Sports

President Trump’s recent comments about NFL and NBA players have caused an uproar and sparked much conversation around our nation. The majority of professional athletes in the NFL and NBA are African-American, and many have been vocal about their support of Colin Kaepernick and why they’ve chosen to kneel as well.

During the Philadelphia 76ers media day, JJ Redick, an 11 year NBA Veteran, unequivocally denounced President Trump as well. In less than 60 seconds, JJ touched on oppression, human emotion, being anti-Trump, his daily breakfast, and protesting.

“How often do you go through a day and not be offended by the guy?” – JJ Redick, 76ers Shooting Guard 

Should other white professional athletes speak up in support of their teammates and denounce Trump?

Does their support matter?

NFL Owners Respond To Trump: “We’re Proud of Our Players”

by with One Comment Sports

In a recent rally in Alabama (9/22/17), President Trump used the term “son of a bitch” to refer to NFL players who’ve decided to take a knee in peaceful protest. Professional athletes, The NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the NFL players union (NFLPA), and several others immediately denounced his statements. Yet, many people were calling on NFL owners to make individual statements, and now they’re coming in…

“Comments like we heard last night from the president are inappropriate, offensive and divisive. We are proud of our players, the vast majority of whom use their NFL platform to make a positive difference in our society.” – Co-owners of the New York Giants, John Mara and Steve Tisch 

“The callous and offensive comments made by the President are contradictory to what this great country stands for. Our players have exercised their rights as United States citizens in order to spark conversation and action to address social injustice. We will continue to support them in their peaceful pursuit of positive change in our country and around the world. The San Francisco 49ers will continue to work toward bringing communities, and those who serve them, closer together.” – San Fransisco 49er’s CEO Jed York

The New York Giants are considered a class organization and one of the best in the league. Their statement should prompt other owners to speak up in defense of their players and their decision to let them peacefully protest, despite many of them disagreeing with the way they’ve chosen to protest and others like the president suggesting they fire (cut or release) these specific players.

Many NFL analysists and other pundits have stated that Trump’s comments will only cause more players to protest. If they’re right this issue only gets bigger, which is the last thing the NFL wants to see happen.

Trump’s initial statement regarding NFL players and their protesting:

Trump: “Get That ‘Son of a Bitch’ Off the Field Right Now!”

Trump: “Get That ‘Son of a Bitch’ Off the Field Right Now!”

by with 2 Comments Sports

Amongst a raucous crowd in Alabama, President Trump went off script as he usually does and decided to render his opinion on the peaceful yet controversial NFL kneeling protests.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out. He’s fired. He’s fired!‘ You know, some owner is gonna do that. He’s gonna say, ‘That guy that disrespects our flag, he’s fired.’ And that owner, they don’t know it. They don’t know it. They’re friends of mine, many of them. They don’t know it. They’ll be the most popular person, for a week. They’ll be the most popular person in this country.” – President Trump

NFL ratings are down and the Colin Kaepernick ordeal is not fading away. The president’s comments bring even more attention to the NFL and current players who’ve decided to follow Kaepernick’s lead and continue to protest.

Should Roger Goodell and/or NFL team owners denounce Trump’s statements?

Should the NFLPA make a statement?

With everything going on… Healthcare, hurricane relief, DACA, North Korea… Should the president really be discussing NFL protests?

Updated (9/23/17) 

Roger Goodell quickly released a statement in response to Trump:

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NFL Owners Respond to Trump: “We’re Proud of Our Players”

Kaepernick Vs. The NFL

Mayweather, Race, and The Great White Hope

by with One Comment FeaturedSports

Let’s face it; race relations in our country are declining and showing no sign of improvement. People have been forced to pick sides and compromising seems like the last resort. Many people on the right find themselves defending Trump and his agenda, and many on the left find themselves sarcastically asking, “What about her emails?”. The Charlottesville incident and the unfortunate murder of Heather Heyer hasn’t helped, and Trump’s tone deaf response and his inability to immediately denounce white supremacy seemed to add insult to injury, which made many Republican’s publicly criticize his “both sides” comment.

Our politics usually carry over to the professional arena or field of play, and boxing provides many examples, both good and bad. African Americans have dominated the sport for more than a century, and they’ve inevitably become political figures due to the social and political status of our country. In 1908, Jack Johnson became the first African American boxer to win the World Heavyweight Title. Johnson fought during a highly contentious and racist era, and his public relationships with white women only added fuel to the fire. Congress made it illegal to transport prizefighting films across state lines because they were so concerned that Johnson’s dominance of white fighters would cause race riots. In fact, many white people hoped to find a white fighter who could finally defeat him, hence the term “The Great White Hope.” Joe Louis was no different. Before his historic second fight with the German Max Schmeling, he met with President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House. Despite gross inequalities and racism in America (and fascism in Europe), there was no doubt that both whites and blacks were pulling for Louis to win. Shortly thereafter, Muhammed Ali followed in his footsteps as the next political figure in boxing.

Boxing is truly a unique sport, which makes it impossible for prizefighters to avoid politics whether they want to or not. Unlike most sports, boxing is a one-on-one battle – there are no teammates to lean on or backups to replace you. So it’s the true epitome of strength and perseverance. Unlike the American Olympic teams we field every 4 years, it lacks team diversity because the team is just one person, the actual boxer. Diversity is one of the main benefits of team sports; however, the lack of diversity in boxing makes the issue of race unavoidable. So whenever a big fight like Mayweather – McGregor arrives, which matches up a black fighter vs. a white fighter, race is an issue and people inevitably pick sides.

Despite Floyd Mayweather’s previous claims and convictions of domestic violence, his flashy attitude, his “all lives matter” statement, and his support of Donald Trump, many African Americans still found a reason to support and root for him. That support might be tied to rooting for black men regardless of their past shortcomings or rooting for the American athlete when his or her opponent represents another nation. On the other hand, that support might be due to their lack of knowledge regarding all of the above issues, or it might be McGregor’s flashiness and loose lips referring to a gym of black men training as “dancing monkeys” or telling Mayweather to “dance for me boy” during one of their promotional tours. Maybe it’s a combination of things, either way, I think it’s safe to say that very few African Americans were pulling for McGregor.

On the other hand, many white people were rooting against Mayweather. Maybe it was years of his arrogant attitude that they could no longer stomach, his domestic violence past, his undefeated record and wanting to root for the underdog, or maybe it was the fact that McGregor was an Irishman. Whatever their reasons were, I think it’s safe to say that McGregor’s racist comments about monkeys and dancing probably weren’t one of them, or at least didn’t impact their decision of who to root for like it did for African Americans.

Is it a naïve assumption to suggest that all African Americans were rooting for Mayweather just because he was African American, or that all white people were rooting for McGregor just because he was white? Of course, it is. But as many issues fall on racial lines, boxing, especially when the men or women fighting represent different nations, is usually no different. President Trump, on the campaign trail and during his early presidency, made patriotism a hot button issue. Despite Floyd’s support of Trump, ironically, there wasn’t much patriotism or support on display for the American fighter as he vied to remain undefeated and go 50 – 0. His victory would’ve further ingrained his place in history as arguably the best boxer of all time, and many American’s clearly wanted to see him fail.

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A Billion Dollar Industry That Doesn’t Pay Its Employees

by with No Comment Sports

As a young child, I had dreams of being an Olympic gold medalist, a professional basketball player, and a WWF (before it became the WWE) superstar. I just knew I’d be able to do it all. I unfortunately had an injury in high school, which put a damper on those dreams. 

However, I still received an athletic scholarship to work (not play) with one of the main sports teams at a major university.  This scholarship helped cover my tuition, books, and a few other expenses such as housing and my campus meal plan. In return, I spent roughly 5-6 hours a day at the athletic facility between practice, game prep, study hall, etc. On game days, I spent more time at the facility than the athletes did! Did I forget to mention, I had a full course load of classes?

Although I came from a privileged family, my parents never gave me an entitled upbringing. That meant if I needed something, I had to work and earn it, which included everything I needed in college. It really started to hit me towards the end of my freshman year when I had exhausted the extra funds I was granted via my scholarship, loans and other awards. I needed additional income to be able to travel home, go out with friends, and do normal everyday activities! 

I was fortunate enough to find a work-study position in one of the school’s offices that was willing to work with my hectic athletic and class schedule. If I had one free hour in the day or even just one free hour in the week, they’d let me come in and work. The work-study position allowed me an opportunity to earn extra income, but the athletes on my team didn’t have that option because of compliance rules. I knew many of the players would’ve loved to earn an honest extra income especially during the off-season or free time between classes and practice. As a result, some of them unfortunately resorted to wrongful activity that I will not discuss. 

So what is my perspective? I can go both ways on this argument. The NCAA, specifically Division-1 televised sports, is a billion-dollar industry and a major source of revenue for institutions. The athletes who contribute to that success should be compensated accordingly. But, college tuition costs between 30-120k or more for many of these four-year institutions, and these collegiate athletes should be grateful for that. Right? But what about the athletes who are walk-ons who contribute to a successful team but aren’t receiving any type of athletic scholarship? The time they put in and the contribution they make still helps that team; yet, they’re receiving no scholarship or type of compensation. What about the other collegiate sports that aren’t moneymakers for the university? Does that mean only football, basketball and baseball players should get paid? What about the irregularities that also exist between the male and female team funding? 

There are so many factors that exist that I haven’t even mentioned, and all of them contribute to the very reason on why a solution hasn’t been made. Considering the disparities that exist between the different programs and the different schools, I do believe that potential resolutions should be thoroughly examined on a case-by-case basis. I do like the thought of athletes at major Division-1 teams being considered as student work-study employees.  Higher performers receive higher wages; bonuses and additional grants or scholarship aid is given based on individual and team performance.  Also, walk-ons and those without scholarships should be able to receive some type of funding for their work contribution. This could help student-athletes learn the valuable aspect of money management, which tends to be the ultimate demise for many professional athletes.  Whatever the solution is, student-athletes need to be valued and compensated considering the billion-dollar industry that relies solely on their athletic ability.