Pay to Play, Part II

Malcolm Gladwell comments here on the case of former Oklahoma quarterback Rhett Bomar (see prior FCB item on that situation here). His question asking how the NCAA gets away with the type of rules that did in Bomar's Sooner career is an easy one to answer: Because the rules are set up to benefit everyone except the athletes. What Bomar did is against the rules, but is it so surprising given that such things have happened for years? What else would you expect since NCAA rules let coaches and universities make loads of money (in the case of Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops at least a couple of million dollars a year) while the athletes who put all those paying butts in the seats get little, even if you count the "value" of a college scholarship? I agree with Gladwell: Bomar and those like him should be able to work for who they want for whatever amount they can get. Sort of like what their coaches do. Colleges that don't want to play that game can form their own leagues and compete against each other. Enough with the charade.