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Message: [QUOTE="billsin01, post: 1752530, member: 837"] My take on this is that the idea that athletes are getting paid is tied either to the value of their own individual likeness and/or that they are basically working a full-time job in addition to going to classes. I guess the one objection to this would be if you favored a system where it was just truly a free market with players being paid like free agents by the universities to play for the teams, but I don't think too many people are down for that system (I could be wrong). But to me, the issue you have is not one of PC but one of not entirely answering the question of players 'being taken advantage of.' Because if the pay is for how hard these kids are working, then you have to pay them all b/c even field hockey players (or pick any other sport) are putting in major hours to play their sports. However that setup is not remotely fair to the donovan mcnabbs or Carmelos of the world who probably should be allowed to make a lot off their individual exploits and popularity. However, if it's based on marketability, then really you're talking about a handful of football players and a couple hoops players who are actually going to make any money in that system. For Syracuse specifically maybe a female hoops player and a couple lax guys, but still a really small number. I also think you get into this thing where players are then spending huge amounts of time showing up to do 2 hours of autographs at car shows and stuff, which is fine but kind of annoying and a little pathetic. Not sure it's in the best interest of the player or the university, to be honest. I hate the one-and-done rule personally b/c no one sticks around at all. I'd rather Donte Greene had just gone to the nba (nothing personally against him at all, he seems like a decent kid) then jack threes up at the cuse for a year and then bounce despite not even scratching the surface of his ability. I'd rather have a setup where if he was desperate to get paid, he could just go. Otherwise he commits for two years to the college game. I just feel like everybody wins in that scenario as opposed to now when everyone and their brother is declaring every season. [/QUOTE]

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