Fewer things have sparked more debate than the idea to give more power to NCAA student-athletes.
This past year, we’ve seen debates on the NCAA’s use of a player’s name, likeness, and image and if they should compensate the players for that usage. Now, debates surround a player’s freedom of movement.
Last week, the NCAA proposed a new rule to their transfer policy. Student-athletes would be granted one free transfer with immediate eligibility. This is a change to the longstanding rule that players would have to sit out one year after transferring, pending an NCAA waiver.
The waivers are what have started this debate. NCAA has made a mess (as with most things) of the waiver system with inconsistent rulings and decisions on what is an approved waiver. This brought about the solution of the free transfer. It simplifies the complicated rule, as there becomes four simple requirements to transfer schools. Under the proposed rule, to transfer without sitting out a year, a student-athlete must:
- Receive a release from their previous school.
- Leave their previous school academically eligible.
- Maintain their academic progress at their new school.
- Leave under no disciplinary suspension.
Of course, the rule was immediately met with disapproval. Todd Berry, the executive director of the American Football Coaches Association, told Sports Illustrated that the vast majority of D-1 college football coaches are against the rule, citing that the transfer rules prevent college coaches from recruiting players off of college campuses.
Mark Richt, former Georgia and Miami coach, tweeted about his displeasure with the proposed rule change.
“I know, I have an idea,” Richt said. “You recruit and develop players and when I think they’re good enough I will poach them from your roster! Welcome to what the new normal will look like in college football!”
Of course coaches will be against the ruling, which just proves the hypocrisy that is college football.
Just last week, longtime Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio decided to resign from his position as head coach of the Spartans. This was 24 hours before National Signing Day and also less than a month removed from the $4.3 million bonus he received in his contract. The bonus kicked in well after the season and the coaching carousel had settled.
Dantonio left the program in a mess, with a $4.3 million payout. You know who is stuck playing for a new coach, receiving no money? The players Dantonio left in East Lansing. It’s the continuing hypocrisy of college sports. Coaches have the freedom of movement and a six- or seven-figure salary to fall back on.
Meanwhile, players are forced to live with their mistakes. To ask a player to stick with a difficult decision they made at 18 years old, when their careers and dreams are now in jeopardy, is unfair.
The power to the player is growing, and the NCAA is facing more and more scrutiny for not giving more opportunities to their student-athletes. They need to get ahead of the crowd on these subjects or risk falling behind. Congress is already getting involved in the pay to play rules, and the Big Ten and ACC has thrown their support behind the free transfer rule. The NCAA needs to pass this and grant players the freedom of movement.
Written by: Kyle Grondin
