Alton

April 28th, 2021 at 9:04 AM ^

Yeah, this is the point.  The position is called "President" so serious people will be willing to take it, but the real job title is "Spokesman" or "Press Secretary."  Emmert doesn't have any real consequential decision-making powers.  That all resides with the University Presidents.

"The purpose of the President is not to wield power, but to draw attention away from it."  -- Douglas Adams

 

NeverPunt

April 27th, 2021 at 11:44 PM ^

Well with his platform of progressive and innovative new ideas, championing of the rights of the athlete over the NCAA itself, and his relentless pursuit of those who skirt the rules for their own I’ll gotten gains, I can see why! 

MgofanNC

April 28th, 2021 at 7:49 AM ^

Trying to wrap my head around why... he doesn't seem to be particularly competent, has no compassion or interest regarding player grievances, hasn't articulated a vision for the future of the NCAA with NIL rights seemingly around the corner, has lost the NCAA a lot of money (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/25/sports/ncaabasketball/ncaa-revenue-f…), doesn't seem to be well liked by anyone (University Presidents included)...

is this purely a "let's pay someone to eat shit" contract? If so, it seems like they could have found someone who generates less shit in need of eating (especially for the money).

KC Wolve

April 28th, 2021 at 9:47 AM ^

Money is the reason. Its all about keeping the current money train going as long as possible. They know its imploding and barring a complete shift in thinking (no way they are going to do that), will probably implode sooner than later. They want to keep the train going as long as possible so keeping this ding dong that will accept all of the criticisms (and a giant check) is a perfect match. 

I'm glad UM "plays by the rules" for the most part, but its also pretty stupid of them to keep doing so when no one else does or cares. UM is basically a starting MLB pitcher that refuses to use banned substances when the other team's pitcher trots out there with a huge stain on his hat and/or glove that everyone else sees and no-one says a word. 

Harlans Haze

April 28th, 2021 at 1:04 PM ^

I certainly recommend reading the entire article by Thamel. He's certainly one of the more ardent detractors of the NCAA and Emmert. The article doesn't explain the "why", as there probably is no valid "why". But, getting some insight into the lack of transparency (shocked) and the seemingly universal dislike of Emmert is interesting. I know most board readers are well aware of his failures and, for us it's an inexplicable (if not unsurprising) decision. To hear that opinion is so prevalent throughout NCAA athletics makes you wonder what is in store for its future. You combine this unpopular decision with rolling into the post-Covid era, combined with the NIL issue and the player's rights issues that were brought up multiple times, it's hard to imagine the status quo remaining much longer.

LSAClassOf2000

April 28th, 2021 at 8:48 AM ^

Oh, that's a relief. For a moment, I was wondering if the NCAA had run out of ways to destroy hopes and crush dreams and I feared having to alter the nature of my virulent disdain for the organization. 

kehnonymous

April 28th, 2021 at 9:02 AM ^

It's not so surprising when you realize that the equally unpopular Roger Gooddell has ironclad job security with the NFL - they're both perfect for their role as Guy Who Absorbs All The Flak 

Harlans Haze

April 28th, 2021 at 1:14 PM ^

Since Rozelle, the NFL Commissioner has had 2 jobs: keep growing the TV contracts and keep kicking the NFLPA's ass on negotiations. Due to the popularity of the NFL, nearly any competent lawyer can accomplish the first (although Roger nearly screwed it up with the anthem issue). Due to the impotency of the NFLPA, nearly any competent lawyer can probably accomplish the second. At some point, the owners will tire of him, and move onto the next figure head.

mgoblue0970

April 28th, 2021 at 1:26 PM ^

At some point, the owners will tire of him, and move onto the next figure head.

Absolutely!

But the point here is not that Goodell, Emmert, et. al., need to be particularly skilled at what they do... the point is their job is to be the fodder for owners/presidents. 

Durham Blue

April 28th, 2021 at 9:54 AM ^

What has Emmert done that is deserving of an extension?  I would love to have a job where I make a lot of money doing absolutely nothing of value.  The COVID problem last football season was his grand opportunity to really exert authority and drive a coherent, organized plan that got all schools working to a well defined set of instructions.  And then nothing happened which left everyone sort of doing their own thing.  Clusterfuck.

MgofanNC

April 28th, 2021 at 12:46 PM ^

The chart here implies Emmert is responsible for this Massive rise in profits for the NCAA and is doing this part of the job so well that it excuses his massive failures in the other aspects of the job. This however, is just not the case. The NCAA is massively profitable because it is a monopoly and just about any half-wit could likely do just as well as Emmert who has arguably made the NCAA less money than it otherwise could. See: 

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/ncaa-president-mark-emmerts-35-billion-…

For one particularly clear example. So, while usually I would unquestioningly agree that this all about money, even that line of logic doesn't seem to hold up here. It is a move that defies a logical explanation.