given the proper "legal framework." Two weeks ago Condoleeza Rice's Committee to Reform College Basketball addressed, but refused to recommend how to address student-athlete compensation for use of name, image and likeness (NIL) because the issue was currently on trial before Judge Claudia Wilken of the Federal District Court for Northern District of California. Hours... Continue Reading →
The Knight Commission, that is. Two weeks ago, Condoleeza Rice's institutionally-sponsored "independent" Committee to Reform College Basketball submitted its recommendations to the NCAA. The "Rice Commission's" suggestions were a predictably corporate and uninspiring regurgitation of the NCAA's company line: the system is fine, it's the other bad guys--the NBA, the apparel companies, the AAU, the agents, the... Continue Reading →
Yesterday morning, the NCAA Committee on College Basketball reported its recommendations to the world. Below is a summary of the committee's findings, an oversimplified translation, and an even more simplified take. Summary Section I: Realistic Pathways for Student-Athlete Success Separate the collegiate track from the professional track by ending one-and-done. Make elite high school prospects... Continue Reading →
The NCAA is coming down from its high horse on enforcement of amateurism rules, at least for Disney. On Friday, USA Today columnist Nancy Armour reported that the NCAA will allow Arike Ogunbowale (the Notre Dame guard who drilled back-to-back buzzer beaters in the National Semifinals and Finals to lead the Irish to this year's National Championship) to compete... Continue Reading →
On the eve of the Final Four—the biggest moneymaker in college sports—there has never been a time when student-athlete compensation has been more in the public spotlight, as the NCAA’s lucrative governance model has come under intense scrutiny. And rightfully so. Where the NCAA, its conferences, schools, coaches, administrators and even Sister Jean, can permissibly... Continue Reading →
The first Thursday night primetime game of the second week of the NCAA tournament on CBS featured eleventh-seeded Loyola University Chicago taking on seventh-seeded Nevada, while third-seeded Michigan and seventh-seeded Texas A&M were relegated to TBS. In a season marked by the "resolution" of academic fraud at UNC, Louisville's stripped national championship and the FBI... Continue Reading →
March Madness is nothing without its Cinderellas; and it has been a big week for the little guys. For the first time in the history of the tournament, a 16 seed took out a 1 seed as the UMBC Retrievers outclassed overall number one seed Virginia in Charlotte on Friday. Two 13 seeds shocked 4... Continue Reading →
But don't blame Ayton for taking it There have always been villains in college basketball going into the NCAA tournament--just ask Duke. But this year, the "bad guys" are that much easier to identify as a result of the current FBI probe into college basketball. Of these bad guys, Arizona stands out as easily the... Continue Reading →
After Arizona Head Coach Sean Miller was directly linked to a $100,000 payment offer to his freshman phenom and now PAC-12 Player of the Year, Deandre Ayton, I argued that the pay for play culture in college basketball was the logical consequence of the influx of money the NCAA receives and its unwillingness to accept governance responsibility... Continue Reading →
Good evening, sports fans. The UB Law Sports & Entertainment Blog will be hosting a roundtable discussion on the current state of college basketball on Monday, March 5th at 5:30 PM. This discussion stems from the attention my article "Hey, NCAA, This Is Your Fault" received, and the subsequent discussions I engaged in with so many... Continue Reading →