Rather than risk a breakup, the NCAA agreed to a post-nup. And so a tenuous marriage continues.
The NCAA Board of Directors voted 16-2 on Thursday to give the so-called Power Five conferences – the Big 12, the SEC, ACC, Pac-12 and Big Ten – the autonomy they sought and the right to spend more money on their scholarship football players. The Power Five can make their own rules (presumably within reason) and add up to $2,000 to what they deem the real cost of their student-athletes’ academic expenses.
Now the dominant forces don’t have to break away and form their own super-league. They can stay under the umbrella while everyone else gets wet. They will also get a greater voting say in NCAA affairs.
Good? Bad? It hardly matters, because it is. The Power Five have money and power. Maybe they should have been called the Money Five.
“There is no hope for NCAA reform,” Donna Lopiano, who was Texas’ women’s athletic director from 1975-92, told the Austin American-Statesman. “I don’t see any of those members standing up and telling the Big 5 no. They’re afraid of them leaving. Guess what? They’re not going to leave. I really do think the time has come for Congress to intervene.”
Congress to intervene? Please. If you want to see a member of Congress, watch TV. That’s where these theoretical legislators spend their time. They certainly don’t legislate and, sadly, Congress has more important things to do. Or should, anyway.
The rich get richer. The big get bigger. The divide grows larger. Big-guy rules can be made for the big guys and the rest can scramble for the table scraps. College sports is big business, especially for the few that can run their enterprises at a profit. The others may as well consult their dogs for lessons on how best to beg.
Today’s question: Should the Power 5 have more rights than other universities in determining rules and expenses that they and they alone are likely to be able to afford? Answers in the comment box, please.
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .
-
Manchester City Brings it Home with a 3-1 Victory! Following Manchester City’s impressive 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen in...
-
Murray’s New Goals Before Retirement Andy Murray, the renowned British tennis player and three-time Grand Slam champion, has shared...
-
Kylian Mbappe led Paris Saint-Germain to a resounding 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of their...
-
Klopp acknowledges defensive flaws as Liverpool suffers unexpected defeat against Arsenal. Following Liverpool’s unexpected defeat against Arsenal, manager Jurgen...
-
Ryan Mendes’ Heroic Penalty: Captain Leads Cape Verde to Victory In a historic moment for Cape Verde, the national...
-
Probe Raises Questions About PSG’s 2017 Deal and Political Involvement. French authorities have launched an investigation into allegations...
-
As Ireland faces a back-three injury crisis ahead of the Six Nations, some players have an opportunity to step...
-
16-year-old Luke Littler Makes History as the Youngest Player to Join the Prestigious Premier League Darts Luke Littler, the...
-
Get ready for the electric thrill! In a groundbreaking move, Formula E announces its exclusive broadcasting partnership with TNT...
-
Captain Kohli’s Record-Equalling Century Lights Up World Cup Match Against South Africa. On the occasion of his 35th birthday,...
-
All-Rounder Stokes Aims for Recovery Ahead of Upcoming India Test Series England Test captain Ben Stokes has announced that...
-
NBA Star Penalized for Inappropriate Gesture During Victory Over Trail Blazers Philadelphia 76ers’ star center, Joel Embiid, has been...