#FixTheNCAA: A Conversation with Taylor Branch
The Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author of The Atlantic's October cover story discusses the NCAA cartel and the shame of college sports. To participate, pose questions and follow along with the hashtag #FixTheNCAA
- And here we go! If you haven't already, check out Taylor's Atlantic cover story The Shame of College Sports and Byliner e-book The Cartel, both on the NCAA and college sports.
Hello. This is like a space walk for me, as I was illiterate about Twitter until a few days ago. #FixtheNCAA- While Taylor's work on the NCAA has been widely discussed by major media outlets in the past few weeks, responses from college publications have been few:
- Welcome. I'm hoping to hear from a college newspaper editor or two, but all questions are welcome. #FixtheNCAA
- Ianastewart comes in with the first question:
Hi Taylor, I was curious what you make of the idea of conference realignment. It seems geared toward nothing other than more $$. #FixtheNCAA- @ianastewart Yes, conference realignment heads the football schools toward more money and a playoff without the NCAA. #FixtheNCAA
Mr. Branch, what if schools pooled the money like a pension plan to distribute to athletes upon graduation or eligibility? #FixtheNCAA- @MJ_Croley Yes. They could do that. And that may be all the players want. But it shouldn't be a dole without their consent. #FixtheNCAA
- That's an idea from a friend of mine who is a D-1 bball coach at the mid-major level. Those are the kids that get squeezed most. #FixtheNCAA
- @MJ_Croley Yes. A lot of these coaches want to take better care of their players, but most can't say so publicly. #FixtheNCAA
Baseball's reserve clause eventually required an arbitrator to kill it. What mechanism can force the issue here? #fixthencaa- @ReasJack Well, an antitrust suit could do so. Several are pending. The courts already struck down restrictions on adults. #FixtheNCAA
- @taylorbranch @ReasJack Frankly, I think one of the big conferences may get fed up with NCAA petty enforcements and revolt. #FixtheNCAA
- @fdberry OK. But the question is what authority allows imposed restrictions on college players and not on coaches or schools. #FixtheNCAA
(1) Raise the basic stipend (2) Athletes allowed to receive cash and benefits from anyone but school and identified boosters #FixtheNCAA- Authority? Eligibility to compete. I don't understand the point. NCAA should enforce (a) academics and (b) level playing field #FixtheNCAA
- @fdberry Yes, but by what authority? No law can impose amateurism. The NCAA has only a shaky cartel agreement. #FixtheNCAA
- But I don't want to lose the student-athlete concept. Horrific effect on wannabees #FixtheNCAA
- @fdberry A lot of people don't want to lose it. I didn't either. But it's our sentiment imposed on the rights of others. #FixtheNCAA
- Not really. We do set social goals. We can make eligibility requirements. That's how it all started. #FixtheNCAA
- Can impose sanctions on school and boosters. Beyond that, the kid should be free #FixtheNCAA
- Why won't the NCAA hand out the death penalty any more. USC, Miami, Ohio State? It seems they're just as guilty as SMU ever was #FixtheNCAA
- @ianastewart Because the NCAA fears the football schools and conferences won't tolerate inteference with their tv revenue.... #FixtheNCAA
