Coming soon: NCAA v. California

Next season's Last Chance U?

 

This took me a second to put two and two together but I think this coach got run out of town from another juco for much the same thing as an assistant. There were 17 kids from across the country living in one house in Hollister when the owner threated to evict them if they didn't start cleaning. One thing led to another and the college booted all the players for receiving improper benefits and two assistants were placed on leave and later left.

Gavilan College sanctions football team - SanBenito.com

 

And the NCAA blinks.

 

I'm not sure that it really amounts to much. This feels more like a stall.

 

Symbolically, it’s a big deal because it shows the NCAA is finally getting dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. Even if they are labeling it as “adjusting to the modern era of college sports” or some sort of corporate gobbledygook.

In practice, I agree, it’s not much because they’re seeking to control how athletes are allowed to access those opportunities. At somebody point, you’re going to get a player questioning why they have to wear Nike’s when they can get a better deal with Reebok.