Let's boycott college sports

[Dcuse]

College sports fans are so funny.

It wasn’t the decades of sheer greed that broke the camel’s back.

Not the endless conference realignments that killed rivalries that were decades old.

Not the kowtowing to TV networks that made start times as fan unfriendly as possible.

Not the ADs and Coaches who left programs for more money without so much as saying goodbye to their players.

Not the Athletic Departments who demanded more and more money from its fans to fund a ridiculous facilities arms race.

Not the conference commissioners who have been on an unceasing quest to squash competition, limit the pool of competitive programs and run their sports as a cartel.

No, not any of the things that the people who are in charge of college athletics have done for years and years to actively harm the fan experience in all facets.

What broke the back is a wide receiver leaving for more money.

That is why college sports is a disaster. People have cheered every awful thing that’s happened over decades as “necessary”. And now the sports they love completely suck.

Way to go.

College sports has always been about the players to me. I don't watch or not watch because of coaches, commissioners, ADs, what conference we're in or any of that other stuff you mention. So when a player you follow leaves in an instant, out of nowhere, doesn't that suck for you?

 

[syrBossHogg]

lol

 

[dasher]

College sports has always been about the players to me. I don't watch or not watch because of coaches, commissioners, ADs, what conference we're in or any of that other stuff you mention. So when a player you follow leaves in an instant, out of nowhere, doesn't that suck for you?

Nope. I root for Syracuse. The players aren't family to me. I have family for that. Syracuse University is the closest thing for that. I rooted against PG George last year and I will root for him this year. Just the opposite for Pena.

 

[JeffCuse]

Not boycotting college sports because then more and more money will funnel to the evil schools. But I am making sure every dollar goes to the general fund now.

I'm done kicking in for individual player swag. I'm done showing loyalty to players. I'm done becoming invested in them. I will attend games for me, to see friends, attend the tailgate, but I refuse to get emotionally invested any longer in players that view me as a commodity.

A long time ago, it was the fans and players as the whipping boys of the evil NCAA and University Presidents. Now it feels like the fans are the only ones left to whip.

 

[orangefog]

Nope. I root for Syracuse. The players aren't family to me. I have family for that. Syracuse University is the closest thing for that. I rooted against PG George last year and I will root for him this year. Just the opposite for Pena.

Are you sure Trebor rooted for George last year and he will root against him this year?

 

[Willy75]

Players getting paid is not the problem. It is the complete wild west inequality between the haves and have-nots. Pro sports have not just contracts, but salary caps, luxury taxes, and other measures so it is not a contest of which team has the most money to work with. College sports as it stands now is literally just that, a contest for who has the most money to work with.

I got really tired during the NCAA tournament of hearing “x player came from y school”. I’ll always follow SU teams (much less rabidly than before) but the mercenary nature of things has pretty much eliminated interest in what goes on elsewhere.

 

[Scooch]

College sports has always been about the players to me. I don't watch or not watch because of coaches, commissioners, ADs, what conference we're in or any of that other stuff you mention. So when a player you follow leaves in an instant, out of nowhere, doesn't that suck for you?

I’m not saying unfettered player free agency is great for fans.

I’m saying that college sports has been a cesspool of greed and hostility for years. If someone said I won’t watch college sports anymore because SU isn’t in a geographically logical conference, or because I’m being incessantly harassed for money, I’d be sympathetic.

I just find it odd to draw the line here. For those who haven’t drawn the line already this doesn’t seem all that terrible in comparison.

I mean not playing UConn, St John’s and Villanova in conference, or enduring 9pm weekday tip off times, seem like valid reasons to “boycott”.

Basically people are fine with the fabric of college sports being completely wrecked for years. But players transferring at scale? That’s too much.

 

[dan7800]

The part that bothers me isn't the kids going after the money, it's the lip service that started much of this. The whole "we need to help underrepresented/disadvantaged kids make some money." -- sure this is fine, but longterm a legitimate college degree (not under water basket weaving) from almost any P4 program is worth a heck of a lot more to helping these underrepresented/disadvantaged than a few hundred K would.

 

[dan7800]

I got really tired during the NCAA tournament of hearing “x player came from y school”. I’ll always follow SU teams (much less rabidly than before) but the mercenary nature of things has pretty much eliminated interest in what goes on elsewhere.

If you dont transfer now, you aint cool.

It seems like ages ago when I'd think "college teams change so fast, in 4 years a guy is gone" --- now it's typically 1 MAYBE 2 years.

 

[capeorange]

Everyone loved college sports until the athletes started getting their share.

It's not that they got their fair share, it's that they don't stick around.
Coaches typically stick around for a few years to many years.
I'm all for players getting paid and I'm also for contracts requiring them to stick around for a couple of years.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

I shook my fist in impotent rage at the title of this thread

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

And until we all realized that we can't keep up.

Oh well. Back to the job of education

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

It's not that they got their fair share, it's that they don't stick around.
Coaches typically stick around for a few years to many years.
I'm all for players getting paid and I'm also for contracts requiring them to stick around for a couple of years.

Such a contract would be unenforceable

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

The part that bothers me isn't the kids going after the money, it's the lip service that started much of this. The whole "we need to help underrepresented/disadvantaged kids make some money." -- sure this is fine, but longterm a legitimate college degree (not under water basket weaving) from almost any P4 program is worth a heck of a lot more to helping these underrepresented/disadvantaged than a few hundred K would.

Why is NIL and college degree an either/or proposition

 

[IthacaMatt]

Unless I'm blind, I can't believe there is no thread discussing Pena, aside from "glancing blows" in this one. That makes 5 of the top 8 guys in terms of receptions gone from what could have been a very good group this year.

 

[MSOrange]

Unless I'm blind, I can't believe there is no thread discussing Pena, aside from "glancing blows" in this one. That makes 5 of the top 8 guys in terms of receptions gone from what could have been a very good group this year.

Trebor Pena transferring to PSU

Just heard about a key player of ours will be entering the portal. I’m shocked.

syracusefan.com

 

[ezbeezy214]

Who's with me?

 

[sufan59]

Trebor Pena transferring to PSU

Just heard about a key player of ours will be entering the portal. I’m shocked.

syracusefan.com

Only 17 pages deep in 7 hours lol

 

[MSOrange]

 

[0.2 YNdeeR]

You like this garbage?

The 'student' - "coach" equivalency is one of my favorite category errors. I'd be rich if I had a nickel every time I've heard: "Students" should chase money all they want because "coaches" do "the same thing". As though "students" are not studying towards a degree and coaches didn't finish school and accept employment in a career. It's repeated so often it's almost funny (but not quite).

 

[anomander]

Im fine with players getting paid but there is no structure. There has to be salary caps, contract listings, etc. I’m sure the same school will just go back to cheating but it may be a bit harder. Being on the low end of moneyball certainly sucks. We have one of the best recruiters in the country as a HC who is around players like Treb all year round and we can’t get them to stay. i don’t see situations like McCord falling into our lap as a regular occurrence. This is certainly frustrating but not at the point of giving up yet. I’ll just continue to endure the pain.

 

[690West]

The 'student' - "coach" equivalency is one of my favorite category errors. I'd be rich if I had a nickel every time I've heard: "Students" should chase money all they want because "coaches" do "the same thing". As though "students" are not studying towards a degree and coaches didn't finish school and accept employment in a career. It's repeated so often it's almost funny (but not quite).

Incredibly well said.

 

[Wrinkle]

Everyone loved college sports until the athletes started getting their share.

Uh yeah, that's exactly right

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Who's with me?

So your response is to act like a man baby.

Interesting.

 

[Scooch]

The 'student' - "coach" equivalency is one of my favorite category errors. I'd be rich if I had a nickel every time I've heard: "Students" should chase money all they want because "coaches" do "the same thing". As though "students" are not studying towards a degree and coaches didn't finish school and accept employment in a career. It's repeated so often it's almost funny (but not quite).

Counterpoint: They're not students. They're professional athletes who have to attend classes to stay eligible to play.