CollegeBasketballTalk: CBT Podcast: Attorney, coaches rep Jason Belzer on the details of Wednesday's guilty verdict
https://collegebasketball.nbcsports...-on-the-details-of-wednesdays-guilty-verdict/
I found this podcast interesting. I had been wondering how the government had made this a case about fraud against the universities.
Unless I’m misunderstanding, the theory is that scholarships aren’t just write offs by universities, but instead are budgeted by athletic departments. Therefore, when possible, athletes are given financial aid first, and then have an athletic scholarship cover the rest. However, when players are getting money under the table, their financial situations have fundamentally changed, and therefore wouldn’t be ineligible for that financial aid/grant money (defrauding the university/federal government into giving them the aid money). And that is the fraud that these people were helping to induce.
I find it all very interesting. Also, as someone who supports players being able to use their image rights to make money (i.e. sponsorships)(I think straight wages would get real messy, real fast), I’m hoping this decision starts real change. The scenario I imagine/am hoping for is that coaches, sneaker execs, etc. will be less likely to funnel money, since they don’t want to risk real jail time (the adidas exec is facing 7 years). Therefore, players won’t be getting the money they have been, and will demand it above board in a stronger way. I think it takes a major program (Basketball is probably easier because it’s only 15 guys) to refuse to play (essentially strike) either for a full season, or maybe even better, in a national championship game.
Thoughts?
https://collegebasketball.nbcsports...-on-the-details-of-wednesdays-guilty-verdict/
I found this podcast interesting. I had been wondering how the government had made this a case about fraud against the universities.
Unless I’m misunderstanding, the theory is that scholarships aren’t just write offs by universities, but instead are budgeted by athletic departments. Therefore, when possible, athletes are given financial aid first, and then have an athletic scholarship cover the rest. However, when players are getting money under the table, their financial situations have fundamentally changed, and therefore wouldn’t be ineligible for that financial aid/grant money (defrauding the university/federal government into giving them the aid money). And that is the fraud that these people were helping to induce.
I find it all very interesting. Also, as someone who supports players being able to use their image rights to make money (i.e. sponsorships)(I think straight wages would get real messy, real fast), I’m hoping this decision starts real change. The scenario I imagine/am hoping for is that coaches, sneaker execs, etc. will be less likely to funnel money, since they don’t want to risk real jail time (the adidas exec is facing 7 years). Therefore, players won’t be getting the money they have been, and will demand it above board in a stronger way. I think it takes a major program (Basketball is probably easier because it’s only 15 guys) to refuse to play (essentially strike) either for a full season, or maybe even better, in a national championship game.
Thoughts?
