Changing times ...

[FurmanATT]

"If this ain't a mess, it'll do till the mess gets here." The tangled web of college ball. -- MD
https://wellpilgrim.wordpress.com/2024/ ... n-the-way/

[Thorny]

I have trouble imagining what college athletics will look like in five years.

Hard to say that kids shouldn't be able to transfer without penalty, hard to say the kids don't deserve the money, etc. However, whatever these kids are, calling them students doesn't seem appropriate anymore.

[cavedweller2]

Attending class will no longer be required. GPA's replaced by CPA's.

[Flagman]

If athletes are considered employees, shouldn't they have to pay taxes on their scholarships (salaries)? Are they currently required to pay taxes on their NIL money?

[Paul C]

I’m sure NIL $ are considered taxable income.

[Roundball]

If athletes are considered employees, shouldn't they have to pay taxes on their scholarships (salaries)? Are they currently required to pay taxes on their NIL money?

Yes. They will receive a 1099-NEC, with the income taxable at the self-employed rate of 15.3%. A smart athlete should hire a good accountant that will find ways to offset the income.

[apaladin]

With this new agreement it is my understanding that they will not be employees so no taxes. Not sure but think the money will be tied to the scholarship as a benefit like food and housing. Could be wrong. Classes are already optional at some schools, coming next will be no limits on eligibility.

[palafan]

I have trouble imagining what college athletics will look like in five years.

Hard to say that kids shouldn't be able to transfer without penalty, hard to say the kids don't deserve the money, etc. However, whatever these kids are, calling them students doesn't seem appropriate anymore.

Disagree. Accepting a scholarship to attend school for free should be treated like a contract. Endless transfers should not be allowed. I get that sometimes you get somewhere and realize its not for you, so maybe a one time transfer. The free tuition, room and board is your NIL pay.

[apaladin]

What happens when the courts rule players do not have to attend class and eligibility cannot be limited?

[Davemeister]

What happens when the courts rule players do not have to attend class and eligibility cannot be limited?

Then it is no longer College Sports.

[apaladin]

What happens when the courts rule players do not have to attend class and eligibility cannot be limited?

Then it is no longer College Sports.

Agree and that is where it will end I’m afraid.

[Stosh]

The future (actually much of the present) is mercenaries who represent schools, in place of students who are participants in the educational mission of schools.

[sluggo]

The future (actually much of the present) is mercenaries who represent schools, in place of students who are participants in the educational mission of schools.

That's hard for me to read given that I was a math and computer science tutor for 3 years, while completing ROTC and serving as a army 2nd lieutenant in my junior year.
It's a stereotype; show me the evidence that they are ALL lazy and don't go to class.

[sluggo]

What happens when the courts rule players do not have to attend class and eligibility cannot be limited?

[Thorny]

The future (actually much of the present) is mercenaries who represent schools, in place of students who are participants in the educational mission of schools.

That's hard for me to read given that I was a math and computer science tutor for 3 years, while completing ROTC and serving as a army 2nd lieutenant in my junior year.
It's a stereotype; show me the evidence that they are ALL lazy and don't go to class.

It's not the students I am worried about. I'm sure we expect the FSU's, Florida, and Alabama's of the world to have players that are a bit less focused on academics and more focused on going pro.

However, Furman is already having students graduate high school early so they can attend spring practice and fans are discussing adding graduate programs to help Furman be more competitive in attracting transfers. For better or worse, this what it takes to be competitive at the FCS level and signal to prospective players that we take football seriously.

Part of my concern is that, in an effort to facilitate attracting transfer students, I expect within the next few years having a degree from an academic institution will not have the same implications that it once did. Historically, some credits didn't transfer, there were specific class requirements for majors, and a degree from a university meant you spent more than a calendar year there. Where we are going may include players graduating with a degree while only spending one semester at a University and their class in puppeteering counting as organic chemistry for their BS in biology as that is what it will take to compete at the FCS level and signal to prospective players that we take football seriously.