Michigan Football: Why the cheating won’t end and how it impacts UM

Payment and regulation

There’s to be a thin line between what the NCAA refers to as amateurism and what many see as exploitation.

At this point, only those within the hypocrisy known as the National Collegiate Athletic Association are supportive of keeping the status quo. They’ve recently made some small effort to, supposedly, alter the rule and regulations, even though it’s largely seen as insincere.

Those paying attention, from current and former athletes to political figures, have spoken out about the issue in favor of real and immediate reform. Bipartisan bills are being presented in several states, which would allow athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness.

For some, the movement can get a bit muddled. The complication lies in the fact that what’s being presented wouldn’t necessarily permit colleges to shovel stacks of cash into the lap of their student-athlete; instead, the players themselves could seek out agents and earn money from advertising and other promotional deals.

Think about it like this: if the majority of fans, players, administrators, etc., had their way, it could be, for example, Isaiah Livers doing commercials for The General in place of Shaq.

No harm, no foul.

But could there be a system where everyone earns a little, and the best of the best still get the big checks?

”If we could take a vote for these kids to make a real salary every season, I would vote for it,” a ‘bag man’ told Banner Society’s, Steven Godfrey. “$40,000 or something. Goes back to mama, buys them a car, lets them go live like normal people after they work their asses off for us.”

Although, he or she acknowledged it might not entirely fix the issue.

“But let’s be honest, that ain’t gonna stop all this. If everyone gets $40,000, someone would still be trying to give ‘em 40 extra on the side.”

While allowing limited payments may help, it can’t be the be all end all approach. True reform comes with many dynamics. Sure, giving the kids a paycheck might calm some of the fraud; although, it won’t stop it completely. There is so much money in college football that they can easily afford to form a substantial regulatory body that takes credible information seriously and, through traditional and novel tactics, completes high-level and thorough investigations.

That might seem like it would cost a lot of money.

In reality, it’s pocket change when you consider the NCAA has been bringing in over a billion dollars in revenue each year since 2016. That’s more than enough moola to beef up their legislative and judicial body.