It’s probably worth a shot for the NBA but I’m still very skeptical of the worthiness of it from an economics perspective for the league. IMO, everyone going to college for one year (and no one going overseas) is probably the NBA’s “best interest”, so best case scenario for them is that the NCAA allows players to get paid in some way.
1 Like
I also think that this could put pressure on the NCAA to give in. They are gonna take a hit if the talent level of college hoops keeps precipitously dropping.
1 Like
This sounds like what hockey has been doing for years with USA hockey select teams. Kids on those hockey teams though are still in high school and will attend college in most cases so they don’t have to pay them large sums of money. I can see the appeal from a development standpoint of putting all the guys together and playing against grown men who are trying to make the league. I’ll be curious if financially this works out for the NBA/G-League. I know there are diehard basketball fans who will watch but I can’t see myself or many casual fans tuning in. Is there an example of a minor league in any sport around the world where large numbers of people are tuned in and watching and talking about it? I’m not talking about 8000 fans attending a game for entertainment purposes, I mean millions of people interested in the sport. From a branding stand point (IE Josh Christopher), college basketball still remains the best way to become a household name. I have to think a guy like Zion spending one year in college was more beneficial for him getting a $75 million deal from Nike than if he had played in the G-League or overseas for a year.
1 Like
The NCAA has already given in on NIL. At this point they’re just figuring out the details. As far as the schools paying players competitive salaries, I can’t see that ever happening.
I thought about this too, one idea I thought of is maybe you could structure it like college coaching contracts. Players get the g league base but the select team has shoe sponsorship, tv and/or radio show etc. that pays the remaining amount of money.
Blood in the water
Like you said… It would be impossible to pay them ‘competitive’ salaries because of Title IX restrictions. As it currently stands athletes at big schools are already getting nice stipends on top of everything being paid for. For 99.9% of college athletes they have a pretty good situation, especially with college now running 25K or more a year for in-state tuition and room and board. It’s that small fraction of stars that this applies to and the best way to keep them coming to college would be to allow them to profit off their name and likeness through endorsements. There would certainly be some shadiness that would occur but if it’s all above board and everyone can do it the playing field suddenly becomes more even rather than the current system which allows those who cheat to win the most. Someone shared the tweet saying 50% of the five stars have gone to five schools in college basketball, which was around 115 kids while the entire big ten has had 14. That alone tells you something. If kids could profit off NIL that would not happen.
1 Like
I really think this about to be a major trend, and I think it will result in the one and done rule staying in place.
1 Like
That’s an interesting point. Nba people like the one and done rule cause it gives them an extra year of evaluation. But a lot of the players are against it cause it’s restrcting. This may be the avenue they go to to appease the players while keeping the extra evaluation year.
It is extra money out of their pocket though. Not sure how/If they plan to monetize it cause I don’t see that happening. It’s less money than a rookie contract though
NCAA better be ready to make some quick changes or the talent level and money they make is going to fizzle out fast. If I’m an elite prospect (5 star) I’m doing this no question.
All of these type of recruits can go this route and my interest in college basketball won’t change one bit.
12 Likes
Tbh, I don’t even think the players care that much (and by that I mean NBA players). The NBAPA doesn’t represent high school seniors. That’s a big reason why this hasn’t been reversed ever.
I think they care. A lot of the players have been through the system. Lebron has been outspoken about it.
1 Like
If 12 guys go to the GLeague every year it’s no different then the 12 years where players were going straight to the NBA
1 Like
Laron Christopher is amazed that his son isn’t doing the same thing as Jalen Green. This sounds like it’s exactly what Laron was looking for with his son lol
Michigan finally gets a 5* and a legit option immediately pops up for those guys to cash in and not go to school. Classic Michigan.
19 Likes
If you are a coach with 5 star committed or sign in 2020, you have to be very uneasy. The more players that sign up for this, the more players going be attracted to it IMO.
The same source who got Josh Christopher, Isaiah Todd, and now Jalen Green all correct before they were formally announced is now saying that Greg Brown is talking with the G League.
Boy that would suck for Texas lol
3 Likes
They’ll go broke fast giving every prospect this much. Green got a pioneer deal.