An article in the Pilot yesterday recapped the current state of this new FCOA opening within college sports, basically "paying" athletes by adding books and "living expenses" to the scholarship of full or partial tuition.

The horse race is under way. With all the other expenses loaded on top of competing at the highest levels, now a school must add these funds - which in the featured case of ODU, must come from private sources. The initial sum thrown out was $600,000, certainly not chump change. You can't clear even half that by attending some 3rd world bowl game, the ultimate booby prize for this bottom feeding collection. The immediate response from ODU - we aren't sure yet how we are going to subsidize this.

Of course, ODU and schools in these similar cesspool associations (they call themselves G5) really have no control on these potential costs which will surely spiral upward under competition. The levels needed to lure today's "amateur athletes" will be driven by the real national powers - the SEC, ACC, Big 10. Pretending to compete at their level will place increasing pressure on the low end. How can a UMass or a Georgia State, already playing in huge, largely empty stadiums, maintain this house of cards? Even taking ODU, still stuck at the same revenue base, sellouts of 20,000 - no different btw if they played new conference mate Louisiana Bayou today vs Ferrum several years ago, keep finding new income streams? Some will come from the conference leverage at CUSA - but that won't get you too far either - there are only so many Tuesday night ESPN slots open for the lower tier to "expose" themselves - or selling yourself to few more real major college programs for a payday.

You also have to start seriously wondering how long schools like Wake Forest and Vanderbilt can - or will want to - keep this up. There will no doubt be a tipping point. There is no stimulus program available to continue sucking in money.

So far, as the article indicated. FCS other than Liberty, has held their ground to not offer these costs. How long they can hold will be interesting to watch - possibly for football only. Basketball is a different animal and I would think there will be pressure there from many in FCS to at least compete within this. Then again, I'm not sure you can offer for some sports and not others.

The CAA has also wisely held tight on the issue with no plans from the members to participate yet. It will come down to whether they see no other way to remain competitive and hopefully not bankrupt some of the members out of sports altogether.

College sports was already spiraling out of control. This opening of Pandora's box will shake things up much more quickly. We seem destined for a finite two tier system out of this - one that really will put the power conferences as virtual minor league franchises. The remainder I think will find some way to maintain the student side of the equation and let go of the horses tail.

Not sure about the G5 schools, they seem stuck to me in a losing poker game. It will depend on how long the money holds out. UAB and the clamoring from some already in the MAC indicate this is a significant, festering problem.

$600,000 would need an endowment of $14,000,000 with a 4.5% payout.

(05-19-2015 05:53 AM)Sitting bull Wrote:  An article in the Pilot yesterday recapped the current state of this new FCOA opening within college sports, basically "paying" athletes by adding books and "living expenses" to the scholarship of full or partial tuition.

The horse race is under way. With all the other expenses loaded on top of competing at the highest levels, now a school must add these funds - which in the featured case of ODU, must come from private sources. The initial sum thrown out was $600,000, certainly not chump change. You can't clear even half that by attending some 3rd world bowl game, the ultimate booby prize for this bottom feeding collection. The immediate response from ODU - we aren't sure yet how we are going to subsidize this.

Of course, ODU and schools in these similar cesspool associations (they call themselves G5) really have no control on these potential costs which will surely spiral upward under competition. The levels needed to lure today's "amateur athletes" will be driven by the real national powers - the SEC, ACC, Big 10. Pretending to compete at their level will place increasing pressure on the low end. How can a UMass or a Georgia State, already playing in huge, largely empty stadiums, maintain this house of cards? Even taking ODU, still stuck at the same revenue base, sellouts of 20,000 - no different btw if they played new conference mate Louisiana Bayou today vs Ferrum several years ago, keep finding new income streams? Some will come from the conference leverage at CUSA - but that won't get you too far either - there are only so many Tuesday night ESPN slots open for the lower tier to "expose" themselves - or selling yourself to few more real major college programs for a payday.

You also have to start seriously wondering how long schools like Wake Forest and Vanderbilt can - or will want to - keep this up. There will no doubt be a tipping point. There is no stimulus program available to continue sucking in money.

So far, as the article indicated. FCS other than Liberty, has held their ground to not offer these costs. How long they can hold will be interesting to watch - possibly for football only. Basketball is a different animal and I would think there will be pressure there from many in FCS to at least compete within this. Then again, I'm not sure you can offer for some sports and not others.

The CAA has also wisely held tight on the issue with no plans from the members to participate yet. It will come down to whether they see no other way to remain competitive and hopefully not bankrupt some of the members out of sports altogether.

College sports was already spiraling out of control. This opening of Pandora's box will shake things up much more quickly. We seem destined for a finite two tier system out of this - one that really will put the power conferences as virtual minor league franchises. The remainder I think will find some way to maintain the student side of the equation and let go of the horses tail.

Not sure about the G5 schools, they seem stuck to me in a losing poker game. It will depend on how long the money holds out. UAB and the clamoring from some already in the MAC indicate this is a significant, festering problem.

Most of the schlarship offers I received in the late 50's were for room, books, board, and tuition, plus $15/$20 a month. This included Wm and Mary, WVU, Maryland, and UVA I witnessed money changing hands in locker rooms. We got paid for our game tickets etc. In some cases I met my benefactor, guy who would take care of clothes etc. My point is that not much has changed. It may be called Pell Grant, or some kind of other 'Help'. But arrangements haven't changed; just evolved. Enjoy the ride.

I haven't heard or read one word about the pink elephant in the room. If they offer cash to 80-150 male athletes, they'd better cash out the same number of ladies as well or prepare for the pending lawsuits. No one, to my knowledge, has brought up this undeniable truth. Now we're talking a couple million dollars on an annual basis.

I think we'll see most schools (not in the Big 5 conferences) opt to pay just Men's and Women's Basketball initially. That is where the difference of paying or not paying will be felt the most in recruiting. It will also appease any Title 9 overseers.

How the schools who don't have Big 5 TV money handle paying teams to balance football payments will be interesting to watch.

http://www.bcinterruption.com/2012/12/10...-expansion
Wake does seem to be the weak link in The ACC with the small size and not being very competitive in football and basketball and thus less attendance . The private schools seem to have alumni who support their alma mater much more than the larger state supported universities. UR is a good example as is Vanderbilt.

With all the revenue streamds the SEC has Vandy should be in good shape and the school has money.

(06-04-2015 10:28 AM)Tribe Fan Wrote:  http://www.bcinterruption.com/2012/12/10...-expansion
Wake does seem to be the weak link in The ACC with the small size and not being very competitive in football and basketball and thus less attendance . The private schools seem to have alumni who support their alma mater much more than the larger state supported universities. UR is a good example as is Vanderbilt.
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I can't reference any studies that have been conducted regarding this but I would contend that students from private schools tend to come from wealthier families and tend to go into occupations that are more rewarding financially and are in a better position to support their alma maters.

With all the revenue streamds the SEC has Vandy should be in good shape and the school has money.