Thursday, February 10, 2011

Today's Tribune column: "A labor theory of basketball value."

I fully expect that after weeks of writing scintillating truths about local political shenanigans with nary a comment in return, I'll now be pelted with brickbats for challenging the very last sacred doctrine: College basketball. Why does Baylor, that pain in the arse, hate America? Read the column and find out!

BAYLOR: A labor theory of basketball value

In the NBA, it’s all about the money – and refreshingly, not a single person involved ever bothers denying it.

In American college basketball, it’s also all about the money – and alarmingly, almost every person involved constantly denies it.

3 comments:

Jeff Gillenwater said...

Since you left Project Runway alone, I'm cool with that.

I'd write more, but I'm in the middle of Andre Agassi's autobiography. He hasn't married Steffi yet and I'm hoping things get steamy.

Greg Caufield said...

Why would anyone allow their principles to dictate their leisure?

Most college athletes are smart enough to know that they will never play professionally, are working for pennies, and that college is a business. Most are there for what little compensation they receive, the experience of playing for a college they love, and for the love of the game.

To be an amateur is by definition someone who loves that activity. Amateurs often put in more hours, are more knowledgeable, more dedicated but rarely receive any monetary reward. Most are not in it for compensation.

I am in full support of any kid good enough to play at a professional level to go straight there. If you are good enough, you should be rewarded. The true sham of the NCAA is requiring these kids to play for a year under the guise of education.

jon faith said...

Enjoyed the essay, though, again, I have been treading among the drasfts for close to 20 years now. Excellent citation concerning the dearth of hypocrisy in the League.

Hmm, what about, "the NBA Cares.. ."?

I'd pen more but i need to vomit, one should never be pious about love especially towards either a university or sports, that means you, J Mandingo!