Tebow rant against CA bill allowing NCAA athletes to profit off of likeness

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on September 13th, 2019 at 2:24 PM

This has been making the rounds on the internet today. 

My favorite quote from this

When I was at the University of Florida, I think my jersey was one of the top selling jerseys around the world. It was like Kobe, LeBron and I was right behind them and I didn't make a dollar from it. But nor did I want to. I knew going into college what it was all about. 

That's a great story, Tim.

What about those college athletes whose parents didn't own a 44-acre farm

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GoBLUE_SemperFi

September 13th, 2019 at 3:10 PM ^

I didn't get that impression at all when listening to his comments.  In fact, I'm tempted to say that you didn't actually listen to it.  The guy is passionate about keeping College football the way the most of it enjoy it and not turn it into an even more corrupt NFL minor league system.

GoBLUE_SemperFi

September 13th, 2019 at 3:40 PM ^

So...then what is the debate about, kids are already getting the money, everyone is already getting paid...there is no problem.

The reality is that "some", as in, a very small fraction of schools...are illegally paying players.  That doesn't mean that you pave the way for complete corruption and turn the NCAA system into a free-agent market for the highest bidder.

Shady money is one thing...something like this will create an opportunity for agents, boosters & SEC schools to go WAY beyond that.

GoBLUE_SemperFi

September 13th, 2019 at 4:29 PM ^

No, it isn't.  It is going to hurt all of college football.  There is already a league where players not only get paid, but hold out for the highest bidder...it's called the NFL.  College football is popular (to many, preferred over the NFL) because it isn't the NFL.  

cobra14

September 13th, 2019 at 2:52 PM ^

Tebow has an opinion. I am somebody too who didn't need money while playing athletics in college because of my parents. My father was in a different situation. Pay the kids!! 

Indy Pete - Go Blue

September 13th, 2019 at 3:03 PM ^

After actually watching the video - Tebow articulates his points well, and he clearly expresses his legitimate concerns with changing the paradigm.  I respect his take and how he states it.  I, like most of you, empathize with the many athletes who do not come from a stable, well-to-do household who have a unique opportunity to capitalize on their image rights as the faces of a billion dollar industry.  How many athletes, due to injuries, misfortune, or whatever circumstance, missed the opportunity to make life-changing money in college while TV networks, administrators, and coaches all made millions off of their likeness?  One is too many.  This California bill presents a challenging change, with far-reaching effects that are impossible to mitigate (part of Tebow's strong thesis), but IMO, this change is the right thing to do.  I admire Tim Tebow, but I respectfully disagree with him on this one.

Teddy Bonkers

September 13th, 2019 at 6:29 PM ^

Exactly that's the dumbest line. Why won't you want a piece of the action. Hell he could always donate it to a charity, I guess he'd rather the NCAA, school and clothing manufacturers keep all the money. Why take any and give it to the parents who raised you, or bank in case your knee gets blown out or some other injury prevents you from having the most overhyped garbage pro career ever. 

MFunk

September 13th, 2019 at 3:16 PM ^

He's not wrong here. Pretty much everything he said is true and would be true if this goes forward. 

I think it could be done with strict rules and limits that are enforced. 

Otherwise, it would be 'what school should I go to so I can make the most money'. 

The Team, The Team, The Team. 

 

bacon1431

September 13th, 2019 at 3:27 PM ^

The only way to get back to “the way it used to be” is to cap coaching salaries, athletic directors, NCAA administrators etc, Olympic level facilities, trainers, tv deals, advertising revenue etc etc. 

If they want amateurism, then pay coaches like they’re in charge of an amateur sport. Like a teacher’s salary.

But that’s not going to happen. Because it’s ludicrous. So let the players get what they can get.  

GoBLUE_SemperFi

September 13th, 2019 at 3:30 PM ^

That makes no sense.  College football revenue pays for many of the other non-revenue sports.  The free-market determines the salary for coaches.  You want the best coach, you've got to pay up, because that coach has Bob Sugar on the line.

Coaches salaries and those of NCAA administrators have NOTHING to do with this.

GoBLUE_SemperFi

September 13th, 2019 at 4:07 PM ^

I really struggle to understand this mentality.  The coaches are performing their job, they aren't playing a sport under a scholarship.  One has absolutely NOTHING to do with the other.  As though, there is some magic salary that would be okay to accept and not have students asking, "why can't I get paid?"  

News flash, these kids don't want to get paid, because the coaches are getting paid...they want to get paid, because they want to get paid.  They see money being made, from the sport that they play; TV revenue, ticket sales, college merchandise sales, etc.  That's what makes them want to get paid.

Maybe someone should just start a minor league for the NFL, give these kids another path where they could make money and not have to worry about violating their scholarship.  That would be a win-win.  Oh, that's right...no one would watch it and they wouldn't make any money doing that, because their "likeness" would be worth anything.

username03

September 13th, 2019 at 4:34 PM ^

Everyone involved in college football is trying to squeeze every last nickel they can out of the arrangement, why do you want to hold the athletes, the youngest and least powerful, to a higher standard? Why should they give up money but no one else should? Why are they held to a higher standard than every other student?

bacon1431

September 13th, 2019 at 4:42 PM ^

“One has absolutely nothing to do with the other” lmao. How do you type that sentence? 

The coaches are only getting paid millions of dollars to coach athletes that don’t get paid. The sport that the coaches make their loads of money off of is performed by these athletes. They’re both part of the labor that creates the entertainment but only one is paid. They both get “perks” but only one is paid. It’s no longer amateur when some are making millions and others can’t even make a few thousand off their own image. 

MichiganAggie

September 13th, 2019 at 3:29 PM ^

I know this is not a popular opinion, but he does make a point about how this system could be abused.

Head Coach to Recruit: "Come to State University. Our boosters will gladly pay you $1k per autograph."

I would like players to profit off their likeness, but would love to hear suggestions on how to prevent college football from getting any dirtier

Drew Henson's Backup

September 13th, 2019 at 3:58 PM ^

Decriminalize it.

Attention Michigan fans: Allowing college players to make money in any and every way possible helps us.

If you don't care about that part then just care about the idea of capitalism.

If you don't care about that part then, well, I guess we will just continue to disagree.

BayWolves

September 13th, 2019 at 3:42 PM ^

Sorry Tim, that's 'tarded. You should have the right to make money off your image regardless of whether you are in college or not.  You shouldn't be penalized because you are a student particularly when businesses like EA Sports are making so much at your expense. Slavery is over, son!

GoBLUE_SemperFi

September 13th, 2019 at 4:11 PM ^

Actually, they have the right to make money off their image, but the first dollar that they make violates the scholarship that they accepted to play football for.

Slavery...a double-down dose of ignorance.

iMBlue2

September 13th, 2019 at 5:08 PM ^

If players start getting paid then schools should be allowed to drop non money making sports at will including women’s if they are on the list can’t have it both ways folks.