Should College Football Players be Allowed to Make Free Market Money?

[BrunswickDawg]

The question is how can a kid like Katie Ledecky can go to the Olympics win gold capitalize on that with endorsements & money & still be able to swim in college but a football player sells his own jersey & he's ineligible. The logic in those 2 just don't add up.



Actually, swimming is just like any other NCAA sport from an amateur status standpoint. Missy Franklin staying at Stanford and not turning pro after 2012 is what most people point to as her doing so poorly the last couple of years - and cost her an estimated $5m in endorsements - http://wamc.org/post/keith-strudler-...tment#stream/0

[Ifyouonlyknew]

The question is how can a kid like Katie Ledecky can go to the Olympics win gold capitalize on that with endorsements & money & still be able to swim in college but a football player sells his own jersey & he's ineligible. The logic in those 2 just don't add up.



Actually, swimming is just like any other NCAA sport from an amateur status standpoint. Missy Franklin staying at Stanford and not turning pro after 2012 is what most people point to as her doing so poorly the last couple of years - and cost her an estimated $5m in endorsements - http://wamc.org/post/keith-strudler-...tment#stream/0

My question is how does she keep her amateur status & still get paid for endorsements or receive any compensation period.

[Interpolation_Dawg_EX]

My question is how does she keep her amateur status & still get paid for endorsements or receive any compensation period.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/...-stanford.html

"Through its “Operation Gold” program, the U.S. Olympic Committee grants bonuses of $25,000 for gold medals, $15,000 for silver medals and $10,000 for bronze medals. The NCAA altered its by-laws Opens a New Window. in 2001 to allow Olympic competitors to accept “Operation Gold” rewards, as well as training and expense stipends, without jeopardizing their status as amateur athletes.

That means Ledecky, who will attend Stanford University in California this fall, will net at least $115,000 in prize money before taxes. The 19-year-old D.C. native won gold in the 200-meter, 400-meter and 800-meter freestyles, as well as the 4x200-meter freestyle relay. She took home a silver medal in the 4x100-meter relay.....


While medal winners gain international recognition for their Olympic success, the NCAA still restricts its student-athletes from receiving compensation through endorsement deals. So Ledecky is free to keep her bonus money, but she can’t pursue compensation through corporate sponsorship's.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/...-stanford.html

"Through its “Operation Gold” program, the U.S. Olympic Committee grants bonuses of $25,000 for gold medals, $15,000 for silver medals and $10,000 for bronze medals. The NCAA altered its by-laws Opens a New Window. in 2001 to allow Olympic competitors to accept “Operation Gold” rewards, as well as training and expense stipends, without jeopardizing their status as amateur athletes.

That means Ledecky, who will attend Stanford University in California this fall, will net at least $115,000 in prize money before taxes. The 19-year-old D.C. native won gold in the 200-meter, 400-meter and 800-meter freestyles, as well as the 4x200-meter freestyle relay. She took home a silver medal in the 4x100-meter relay.....


While medal winners gain international recognition for their Olympic success, the NCAA still restricts its student-athletes from receiving compensation through endorsement deals. So Ledecky is free to keep her bonus money, but she can’t pursue compensation through corporate sponsorship's.

Thanks that answers my question. So only Olympic athletes are afforded this situation.