When there is no amateur college football....will it be the same ?

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There is so much "under the table money" going around that it's not even a shock anymore

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There is less of this now than ever before.

I personally feel student athletes should be held more accountable. If you can't be happy with getting a free ride, playing football, and having a shot at professional sports, then they don't belong there. Yes sports entertainment grosses huge amounts of money, but they are amateurs and need to realize that.

Also, this falls on the professional sports monopoly by not allowing them to bypass college. We all know that many wouldn't get hired out of high school and it's a very competitive market.

Haters will hate, but JMO.

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Yes college football blueblood programs grosses huge amounts of money,

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FIFY

The only sport I truly have a problem with in terms of amateurism is football. Those guys risk so much physically, even their lives. Maybe if there was some insurance program that would compensate college players for the damage done to their bodies and the loss of an NFL career if they suffer a career ending injury. Each school would pay premiums into the plan every year.

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Idk, maybe because everybody who participates in the sports have to be students of that University...

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Only nominally. Let's face it, a lot of times these guys are just not college material. Why should they be? They aren't there for an education outside of how to play their sport.

And what the hell kind of sense does it make to give out athletic scholarships to attend an academic institution? How many fans of the big programs even went to college? What do they even care about college or the university behind the team?

American college athletics is truly absurd.

ETA: And great response, you basically answered my question by saying, 'Athletes have to be students so they can attend class.' What if they were exempt from taking class? What if they were paid to play? Just remove them from the universities and let them do want they want to do - develop their skills to earn the big money.

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Let's face it, a lot of times these guys are just not college material. Why should they be? They aren't there for an education outside of how to play their sport.

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This isn't the case for the VAST MAJORITY of student athletes.

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And what the hell kind of sense does it make to give out athletic scholarships to attend an academic institution?

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Because good sports programs are great marketing for the University. It's one of the best ways for the University to get their name out there.

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How many fans of the big programs even went to college? What do they even care about college or the university behind the team?

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You're clearly not bright if you think this is the case.

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When there is no amateur college football.

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College athletes are forced to sign their name on a contract in exchange a product/service/training, so long as the participate in the contract they signed. I am not sure why they are considered amateur to begin with....

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No reason the NFL can't start their own minor leagues.

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That's the solution I would like to see. Let those with the talent and desire to get paid now go to the minor league. Let actual students athletes play for the universities.

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Minor league football, who will fund this league?

Would there be any more interest than what we saw with the recently dismantled AAF league? They ran out of $$ in week 2-3 and then petered out completely and they were stocked known players that had already proven themselves at the college & some pro level. I can't imagine how a minor league would fair with a bunch of unproved teenagers taking the field.

I don't consider P5 college football, or basketball, to be amateur sports. Whether it's money under the table, or just exposure from playing on national TV, there's far too much money involved. And that's the gist of it, regardless if the players aren't receiving a fair share.

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The only sport I truly have a problem with in terms of amateurism is football. Those guys risk so much physically, even their lives. Maybe if there was some insurance program that would compensate college players for the damage done to their bodies and the loss of an NFL career if they suffer a career ending injury.

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ehhhhhh

For starters it's not an unknown risk and they also aren't forced into it. These guys have played football since grade school and know what it's about, and choose to play in college. And rest assured they are compensated EXTREMELY well. All scholarship dudes get:

-free tuition
-free housing
-free books
-free food
-free top notch healthcare
-free clothing
-unlimited access to private tutors
-fame on campus that comes with female attention

Not to mention many schools (idk if it's all, no idea) give stipends as well for some walking around money. All of that adds up to well into the 6 figures that these guys get that the average student does not. In fact many average students go into the negatives with loans that these guys don't. Even if they don't play a down of football after graduating they are still coming out of college better than probably over 90% of their peers.

That's for all of them. The ones that are truly good get the added bonus of having a 3 to 4 year on field audition for their future employer that could end up making them millions.