Geo Baker

[NickRU714]

They get the equivalent of 100k worth of income a year at the age of 18 between scholarships, housing, food, clothing, cost of attendance, tutors, personal training, flights, hotels. Now add NIL on top of it.

You think all of these guys can make that money anywhere else at that age? How many can go from HS to the G league? Or in football HS to even the XFL or USFL? They would get paid half that and no one really cares in those leagues.

I miss the point where a gun is pointed at their head to sign up for this.

So you agree that players have always been getting "paid" and the concept of "but they are amatuers" has always been a farce?
Good.

Now that paid or not paid is out of the way its just a matter of compensation level.
The revenue generated has greatly increased - see Big Ten media contract.
If HCs and AD are getting raises - why wouldn't the players also get raises?

 

[AdventureHasAName]

So you agree that players have always been getting "paid" and the concept of "but they are amatuers" has always been a farce?
Good.

Now that paid or not paid is out of the way its just a matter of compensation level.
The revenue generated has greatly increased - see Big Ten media contract.
If HCs and AD are getting raises - why wouldn't the players also get raises?

Scholarships are definitely compensation ("payment"). But one thing that hasn't been mentioned once in this entire thread is the concept that if NIL is preventing these kids from jumping to the G-League and overseas professional teams, then the NCAA doesn't have a monopoly. And if the NCAA doesn't have a monopoly, then their rules banning the use of NIL to member players is not an anti-trust violation. Of course, the Supreme Court (in their infinite wisdom *eye roll*) ruled otherwise, so ... *shrugs shoulders*. Once they rule that NCAA players are employees, then that makes this professional (not "amateur") sports. And the NCAA definitely does not have a monopoly over professional sports. But the SC broke it and they are never gonna fix now and admit they royally ****ed things up.

 

[Jerseylegends]

Scholarships are definitely compensation ("payment"). But one thing that hasn't been mentioned once in this entire thread is the concept that if NIL is preventing these kids from jumping to the G-League and overseas professional teams, then the NCAA doesn't have a monopoly. And if the NCAA doesn't have a monopoly, then their rules banning the use of NIL to member players is not an anti-trust violation. Of course, the Supreme Court (in their infinite wisdom *eye roll*) ruled otherwise, so ... *shrugs shoulders*. Once they rule that NCAA players are employees, then that makes this professional (not "amateur") sports. And the NCAA definitely does not have a monopoly over professional sports. But the SC broke it and they are never gonna fix now and admit they royally ****ed things up.

Honestly, NiL court decision was about the kids that could have gone straight to the league but are forced to at least finish 1 year of college ball. Before NIL more of these types of players were being offered contracts to play over seas but many of them did not like playing over seas so far away from home, Brandon Jennings is one name I remember that started that trend. I believe that was the beginning of the end of college basketball as we knew it. The powers that be did not like the idea of top basketball talent choosing to play overseas. Aka not under the NBA umbrella. Then the g league began to recruit kids to the NBAs developmental league allowing them to get paid while NBA coaches teach them the NBA game. The NBA, NCAA and the g league all work with each other, I don't know if I would have to prove that to anyone because it seems obvious.

Nil ends up being more of a resource for a player like cam Spencer a cliff omuyuri if he was an American citizen. Allowing them to capitalize on their skills at a time when they are most in demand.

I don't know if you guys remember the time of the NBA allowing kids right out of highschool? But although many prospects had their trouble on and off the court. Most of them had successful NBA careers. Garnett, Kobe, Kendrick Perkins, Jr smith, Andrew bynum etc.. however it was harder to evaluate highschool players and scouts and gms were missing on highschool prospects at a higher rate than college prospects. Harder to evaluate a highschool players, so it was deemed that kids were mentally or emotionally mature enough for the NBA so the draft eligible she was raised from 18 to 19. A win win because NCAA gets these stars to boost the viewership of the NCAA tournament. Everyone benefits from the one and done rule except for the one and done players...here's an article on it from a few years back..nil is one of the many ways people have challenged the NCAA/NBA in the courts..

 

[Jerseylegends]

1) the names on the back change every year and regardless the fans still watch

2) if all players left for the g league and assembled identical teams and d2 players filled out d1 rosters, more people would watch/go to the college games than the new league games. People care about the schools not the players. Its why theres been no alternative to college basketball, theres no market for it. No one cares about the names on the back.

3) i wish we had an unlimited war chest to buy kids like theyre cattle.

4) would pro sports be a better or worse product if every player was on a 1 year deal and there was no salary cap? (Youll avoid this one)

Lol idk how old you are but maybe you remember when coach k was too pure of a basketball coach to recruit one and done players. When his star player was wojahowski, duke was not duke...They were the same prestigious institution academically with the same alumni but interest in the basketball program was not the same. Duke was not on TV but Kentucky, Louisville, schools like Memphis came out of no where. He changed his mind on Duke Basketball being Duke Basketball without one and done players. Next thing you know coach k is bringing in a class with 3 one and dones lol RJ barret, Zion Williamson and cam reddish. Of course he began accepting one and dones way before then but that class really drives the point home. Star players benefit their schools more than than the schools benefit them.

Nil benefits a player like cam Spencer the most because he probably has his best opportunity to make money playing basketball right now. But the court ruling and NIL is mainly in regards to star players. Someone like Dylan Harper who's face and name is all over the internet generating clicks and views.

You keep talking about the g league as if they compete with the NCAA for fans/viewership. Are you naive enough to believe that the NCAA doesn't work with the NBA? Do you think that all of the people watching college sports are alumni and 'loyal sons' of whatever university they root for? People watch the NCAA because of the players being marketed to them. So you're telling me you believe that if division 1 basketball rosters all played in the g league and division 2 rosters filled in at schools like unc or duke. You believe more people would watch the d2 players because of their loyalty to the universities? Lol hey, I can't change your opinion but you might want to do some critical thinking on that one. You are assuming the new league wouldn't be marketed to the public or something? No one will know the good players have changed leagues?

Idk if you pay the cattle directly when you purchase livestock but if you do then yes just like cattle.

As I said nil is really about the players that would most likely be one and done anyway. It sucks as a Rutgers fan that cam Spencer won't be a shooter for ru this year. But cam Spencer is making a business decision, emotions will lead you to financial ruin. Controlling your emotions is the only way to financial freedom. I hope he kills it and earns enough to change his life for the better..

 

[AdventureHasAName]

Honestly, NiL court decision was about the kids that could have gone straight to the league but are forced to at least finish 1 year of college ball. Before NIL more of these types of players were being offered contracts to play over seas but many of them did not like playing over seas so far away from home, Brandon Jennings is one name I remember that started that trend. I believe that was the beginning of the end of college basketball as we knew it. The powers that be did not like the idea of top basketball talent choosing to play overseas. Aka not under the NBA umbrella. Then the g league began to recruit kids to the NBAs developmental league allowing them to get paid while NBA coaches teach them the NBA game. The NBA, NCAA and the g league all work with each other, I don't know if I would have to prove that to anyone because it seems obvious.

Nil ends up being more of a resource for a player like cam Spencer a cliff omuyuri if he was an American citizen. Allowing them to capitalize on their skills at a time when they are most in demand.

I don't know if you guys remember the time of the NBA allowing kids right out of highschool? But although many prospects had their trouble on and off the court. Most of them had successful NBA careers. Garnett, Kobe, Kendrick Perkins, Jr smith, Andrew bynum etc.. however it was harder to evaluate highschool players and scouts and gms were missing on highschool prospects at a higher rate than college prospects. Harder to evaluate a highschool players, so it was deemed that kids were mentally or emotionally mature enough for the NBA so the draft eligible she was raised from 18 to 19. A win win because NCAA gets these stars to boost the viewership of the NCAA tournament. Everyone benefits from the one and done rule except for the one and done players...here's an article on it from a few years back..nil is one of the many ways people have challenged the NCAA/NBA in the courts..

View embedded media

What you have just described is a multitude of problems directly (and purposefully) caused by the NBA and the NBA collective bargaining agreement. The NBA can't make the NCAA a monopoly by excluding players from the NBA. The NBA is professional sports. The G-League and overseas are professional sports. The NCAA is professional sports (the Supreme Court said the players are employees). How the hell does the NCAA have a monopoly over professional sports?

 

[Jerseylegends]

What you have just described is a multitude of problems directly (and purposefully) caused by the NBA and the NBA collective bargaining agreement. The NBA can't make the NCAA a monopoly by excluding players from the NBA. The NBA is professional sports. The G-League and overseas are professional sports. The NCAA is professional sports (the Supreme Court said the players are employees). How the hell does the NCAA have a monopoly over professional sports?

I'm not lawyer but what um saying is the NBA, the g league, the NCAA all work together. Maybe that was part of the consideration. Idk

 

[Jerseylegends]

They get the equivalent of 100k worth of income a year at the age of 18 between scholarships, housing, food, clothing, cost of attendance, tutors, personal training, flights, hotels. Now add NIL on top of it.

You think all of these guys can make that money anywhere else at that age? How many can go from HS to the G league? Or in football HS to even the XFL or USFL? They would get paid half that and no one really cares in those leagues.

I miss the point where a gun is pointed at their head to sign up for this.

Lol hey this is a way of thinking I can't argue with. If your mind can work this way I'm not going to be the one to change your way of thinking via message board. Counting dorm rooms, away game flights/hotels and basketball practice as compensation is a mindset I don't agree with.
A gun is not being pointed at the schools heads either, they don't have to recruit these kids...you're it does benefit players like cam Spencer because they would not have a chance to make the money he has the opportunity to make now I'm basketball. However a one and done players is hindered by having to play college basketball..

 

[AdventureHasAName]

However a one and done players is hindered by having to play college basketball..

That has nothing to do with the NCAA. The NCAA doesn't care if you play 4 years, or 5 years, or 1 year, or no years. The NBA is the entity that says you can't play in our professional league unless you are a certain amount of time out of high school.

 

[Jerseylegends]

That has nothing to do with the NCAA. The NCAA doesn't care if you play 4 years, or 5 years, or 1 year, or no years. The NBA is the entity that says you can't play in our professional league unless you are a certain amount of time out of high school.

I don't understand what point you're trying to make? Are you saying that the NCAA doesn't benefit from having star players in their games or tournaments? "No years" would imply that the NCAA doesn't need the star players to make money? Again, I can't argue with you guys on that. If you believe that the country watches the NCAA tournament because they are alumni and don't care about watching high level talent I'm not going to be able to convince you otherwise.

 

[AdventureHasAName]

I don't understand what point you're trying to make? Are you saying that the NCAA doesn't benefit from having star players in their games or tournaments? "No years" would imply that the NCAA doesn't need the star players to make money? Again, I can't argue with you guys on that. If you believe that the country watches the NCAA tournament because they are alumni and don't care about watching high level talent I'm not going to be able to convince you otherwise.

My point is that it isn't something implemented by the NCAA. You can't say, "Hey you, the NCAA, you're behaving like a monopoly because I'm prevented from playing in the NBA directly out of high school." The NCAA doesn't have anything to do with it.

Personally, I think the NCAA would actually prefer it if one-and-done players went straight to the NBA and bypassed college basketball altogether. One-and-done players have been a net-negative for college basketball as a whole. But regardless, it has nothing to do with the NCAA (or its rules).

 

[Jerseylegends]

My point is that it isn't something implemented by the NCAA. You can't say, "Hey you, the NCAA, you're behaving like a monopoly because I'm prevented from playing in the NBA directly out of high school." The NCAA doesn't have anything to do with it.

Personally, I think the NCAA would actually prefer it if one-and-done players went straight to the NBA and bypassed college basketball altogether. One-and-done players have been a net-negative for college basketball as a whole. But regardless, it has nothing to do with the NCAA (or its rules).

"One and done players have been a net-negative for college basketball as a whole"

What are you basing this on? Like, what makes this a fact? Or is this just how you feel?

Again, I'm not a lawyer or a supreme court justice. So idk what to tell you about the anti-trust laws...If I remember the process correctly, what you're arguing must have been argued in several different courts and appellant courts before making it to the supreme court and the decision being upheld. Maybe you're misinterpreting something. I haven't read the full supreme court decision, maybe you have?

 

[LETSGORU91]

The irony in all of this is you had players claiming the NCAA treated them like slaves but now the players get to auction themselves off like a hooker and that's ok. I don't get that logic.

Well, that's certainly a unique and interesting take on the subject. The difference is slaves had no say in the matter. With NIL, the athletes hold many of the cards. Coaches have been quoted as the first question a prospective recruit asks is "How much can I get?" It's obviously not completely there, but the inmates are having their say in how the asylum is run.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Lol idk how old you are but maybe you remember when coach k was too pure of a basketball coach to recruit one and done players. When his star player was wojahowski, duke was not duke...They were the same prestigious institution academically with the same alumni but interest in the basketball program was not the same. Duke was not on TV but Kentucky, Louisville, schools like Memphis came out of no where. He changed his mind on Duke Basketball being Duke Basketball without one and done players. Next thing you know coach k is bringing in a class with 3 one and dones lol RJ barret, Zion Williamson and cam reddish. Of course he began accepting one and dones way before then but that class really drives the point home. Star players benefit their schools more than than the schools benefit them.

Nil benefits a player like cam Spencer the most because he probably has his best opportunity to make money playing basketball right now. But the court ruling and NIL is mainly in regards to star players. Someone like Dylan Harper who's face and name is all over the internet generating clicks and views.

You keep talking about the g league as if they compete with the NCAA for fans/viewership. Are you naive enough to believe that the NCAA doesn't work with the NBA? Do you think that all of the people watching college sports are alumni and 'loyal sons' of whatever university they root for? People watch the NCAA because of the players being marketed to them. So you're telling me you believe that if division 1 basketball rosters all played in the g league and division 2 rosters filled in at schools like unc or duke. You believe more people would watch the d2 players because of their loyalty to the universities? Lol hey, I can't change your opinion but you might want to do some critical thinking on that one. You are assuming the new league wouldn't be marketed to the public or something? No one will know the good players have changed leagues?

Idk if you pay the cattle directly when you purchase livestock but if you do then yes just like cattle.

As I said nil is really about the players that would most likely be one and done anyway. It sucks as a Rutgers fan that cam Spencer won't be a shooter for ru this year. But cam Spencer is making a business decision, emotions will lead you to financial ruin. Controlling your emotions is the only way to financial freedom. I hope he kills it and earns enough to change his life for the better..

Your average G League team beats your average d1 team, right? Seems pretty strong evidence that the fans care about the schools more than the players but seems theres no changing your mind on that one.

The players need the schools FAR more. I cant wrap my head around how you cant comprehend this. If schools shut down college sports, it quite literally wont change the school, it would help alot of them financially. For the players though, now alot of 850 SAT and 2.2 GPA kids dont go to college and probably dont do too well in life. For the select few that are nba good, theyll hook up with alternate leagues like g league and europe that no one will watch as theyll just watch the nba in that case if there was no college ball. Its why few people watch minor league baseball.

And yes, of course more eyeballs will watch a team with 3 top 10 picks than a team without 3 top 10 picks haha as itll draw in non-fans who like the sport. However probably the biggest evidence of all that the players need the schools is that Rutgers is quite literally in the big ten because of the school and the schools location. Not the dog shit basketball program that hadnt made the tourney in 21 years or the football program that had only a good 7 year stretch with decades full of misery

 

[RUskoolie]

Lol hey this is a way of thinking I can't argue with. If your mind can work this way I'm not going to be the one to change your way of thinking via message board. Counting dorm rooms, away game flights/hotels and basketball practice as compensation is a mindset I don't agree with.
A gun is not being pointed at the schools heads either, they don't have to recruit these kids...you're it does benefit players like cam Spencer because they would not have a chance to make the money he has the opportunity to make now I'm basketball. However a one and done players is hindered by having to play college basketball..

They started doing 1 and done because of all the flameouts that happened when they were drafting kids straight out of HS.

 

[Jerseylegends]

Your average G League team beats your average d1 team, right? Seems pretty strong evidence that the fans care about the schools more than the players but seems theres no changing your mind on that one.

The players need the schools FAR more. I cant wrap my head around how you cant comprehend this. If schools shut down college sports, it quite literally wont change the school, it would help alot of them financially. For the players though, now alot of 850 SAT and 2.2 GPA kids dont go to college and probably dont do too well in life. For the select few that are nba good, theyll hook up with alternate leagues like g league and europe that no one will watch as theyll just watch the nba in that case if there was no college ball. Its why few people watch minor league baseball.

And yes, of course more eyeballs will watch a team with 3 top 10 picks than a team without 3 top 10 picks haha as itll draw in non-fans who like the sport. However probably the biggest evidence of all that the players need the schools is that Rutgers is quite literally in the big ten because of the school and the schools location. Not the dog shit basketball program that hadnt made the tourney in 21 years or the football program that had only a good 7 year stretch with decades full of misery

I'd like to see some stats on schools not benefiting from big time sports. Especially Rutgers, I don't know if the public would stand for it if it didn't benefit the universities in anyway. How are you coming up with that?

I think I now understand your problem with NIL. The idea that these kids wouldn't amount to much of anything in life if it wasn't for the Rutgers scholarship they receive to represent Rutgers playing basketball. Now they want NIL as well? "They could never make that amount of money anywhere outside of college basketball. "
lol
I don't know what to tell you about that either. Capitalism isnt fair.

And bro, what don't you understand about the g league not being marketed as a competing league to the NBA or ncaaa? Do you understand they are all under the same umbrella?

 

[Jerseylegends]

This thread is really eye opening. Lol "loyal son", seems like their brothers in scholarship don't look at these guys as intellectual or social equals anyway. Maximize your earning potential while you can everything else is emotion..

 

[365Poster24Seven]

Threads like this will eventually cause guys like GEO and others in the know to just not post anymore. In this thread some are basically arguing with the guy. Soon it will just be more of the same nobody’s including me giving opinions that no one cares about.

 

[bitnez]

Threads like this will eventually cause guys like GEO and others in the know to just not post anymore. In this thread some are basically arguing with the guy. Soon it will just be more of the same nobody’s including me giving opinions that no one cares about.

Of course some are arguing — it’s a message board. Everyone doesn’t need to have the same thoughts. It’s ok for people to disagree. And, Geo often engages with fans on here who don’t agree with him, and does so with class and intellect.

 

[RUBlackout7]

The players are a dime a dozen. They need the schools MUCH more than the schools need them.

If schools ended college sports, in net alot of them (Rutgers) would actually make more money. Some schools less, alot fewer though. Schools dont need college sports, college sports need schools.

It’s both dude. The schools need the players just as bad as the players need the schools. Moronic take.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

I'd like to see some stats on schools not benefiting from big time sports. Especially Rutgers, I don't know if the public would stand for it if it didn't benefit the universities in anyway. How are you coming up with that?

I think I now understand your problem with NIL. The idea that these kids wouldn't amount to much of anything in life if it wasn't for the Rutgers scholarship they receive to represent Rutgers playing basketball. Now they want NIL as well? "They could never make that amount of money anywhere outside of college basketball. "
lol
I don't know what to tell you about that either. Capitalism isnt fair.

And bro, what don't you understand about the g league not being marketed as a competing league to the NBA or ncaaa? Do you understand they are all under the same umbrella?

G league isnt marketed because its not marketable. Its really that simple.

These schools wouldnt miss a beat without sports. The players would big time

 

[RUBlackout7]

The irony in all of this is you had players claiming the NCAA treated them like slaves but now the players get to auction themselves off like a hooker and that's ok. I don't get that logic.

lol what? You mean like any person does in the working force? I guess we’re all hookers even though that analogy doesn’t even make sense.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

It’s both dude. The schools need the players just as bad as the players need the schools. Moronic take.

Nah. Its why every year when kids graduate and a new crop comes in, people still watch.

The schools are FAR more valuable to the players than the players are to the schools. Its frankly not close.

If Geo Baker goes from high school to europe and makes $100K/yr playing bball there you could count on one hand how many people in the US would know him outside of friends and family.

Geo’s entire brand is 99.9% because of Rutgers. Just facts.

 

[Board Of Jokers]

You can't be mad at Cam. He could love RU but money talks!

 

[csphi]

You can't be mad at Cam. He could love RU but money talks!

If he loved RU….he wouldn’t have went about it in the way he did

Scumbag move in how he handled it

Guess you endorse that

 

[RUskoolie]

lol what? You mean like any person does in the working force? I guess we’re all hookers even though that analogy doesn’t even make sense.

I am lacking sleep from my kids being sick lol.

You can't compare sports to the work force and even in the work force, some companies make you sign contracts so you can't up and leave freely. Sports is the one industry where I would argue socialism works.

 

[RUBlackout7]

Nah. Its why every year when kids graduate and a new crop comes in, people still watch.

The schools are FAR more valuable to the players than the players are to the schools. Its frankly not close.

If Geo Baker goes from high school to europe and makes $100K/yr playing bball there you could count on one hand how many people in the US would know him outside of friends and family.

Geo’s entire brand is 99.9% because of Rutgers. Just facts.

Yeah but if you don’t get good players and the product on the field is not good, people don’t watch. Geo, Ron, Cliff, and Pike all play a role in packing the RAC versus an empty arena. This is not hard to understand lol

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Yeah but if you don’t get good players and the product on the field is not good, people don’t watch. Geo, Ron, Cliff, and Pike all play a role in packing the RAC versus an empty arena. This is not hard to understand lol

Agreed, you need players on the court to pack the arena and sell it out. No ones coming to just sit in silence and not watch action. But every one of those kids is replaceable. Ron and Geo left yet we sold more tix in 2022-2023 season than when they were here in 2021-2022.

Also, eddie jordans historically bad 7-25 vs pikes best team in 2019-2020, the difference in tix sales was on average about 2500 more per game. Which over 20 home games is 50,000 more tix says which at $40/each is $2,000,000 more in revenue at $50/each would be $2,500,000 more in revenue. Truly an inconsequential amount of money for a multi-BILLIONAIRE dollar revenue generating institutional. And thats comparing all time worst year vs best in 4 decades year

 

[RUBlackout7]

Agreed, you need players on the court to pack the arena and sell it out. No ones coming to just sit in silence and not watch action. But every one of those kids is replaceable. Ron and Geo left yet we sold more tix in 2022-2023 season than when they were here in 2021-2022.

Right, they’re replaceable by other skilled players who come at a price.

The free market that’s going on in college sports is literally telling you these kids are worth something. They might not be worth as much individually in the true spirit of NIL, but that type of NIL was always a cover to what it really is.

 

[scarletnewyorker2006]

I am lacking sleep from my kids being sick lol.

You can't compare sports to the work force and even in the work force, some companies make you sign contracts so you can't up and leave freely. Sports is the one industry where I would argue socialism works.

Socialism means using force. There is no force applied in professional sports. Athletes are free to not play or attempt to create their own league. And pro sports is definitely work.

 

[Russ Wood]

I wonder if the current state of college basketball is what Geo and the kid from Iowa envisioned? Kids jumping from school to school every year for a “bag”. I understand the free market aspects of introducing NIL, but college basketball is effectively unrecognizable and has changed for the worse.

Maybe this was Geo’s plan, would love to hear his perspective.

 

[RUskoolie]

Socialism means using force. There is no force applied in professional sports. Athletes are free to not play or attempt to create their own league. And pro sports is definitely work.

I was talking having a salary cap. That is what makes the NFL brilliant.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

I was talking having a salary cap. That is what makes the NFL brilliant.

Hockey is the best competitive model of any sport. Hard cap, no exceptions. Its why theres so much parity

 

[scarletnewyorker2006]

I was talking having a salary cap. That is what makes the NFL brilliant.

Understood and agree with your point. Your word choice hit an enormous hot button of mine.

 

[NickRU714]

Hockey is the best competitive model of any sport. Hard cap, no exceptions. Its why theres so much parity

I don't know the details of the NHL setup but the NBA has good rules to help team continuity and retaining your own players:

1. Teams can offer their own FAs a better "max contract" than another team (extra year and higher overall value)
2. Bird Rules: Teams can go over the cap to resign their own free agents. Incentive to keep your own players because if they leave you don't just get that cap space to spend other places.

 

[FmrMgrRU]

I just read this thread to see if Geo actually commented and my god RHJ appears. Big fan of his dads acting on Keenan and Kel. Wish I remembered to tell him that when I met him in the bathroom at MSG.

 

[Nycrusupporter]

Hockey is the best competitive model of any sport. Hard cap, no exceptions. Its why theres so much parity

Hockey also has the worst economics of all the major sports and almost went bankrupt several teams so it is a lot easier to get all the parties to agree on the framework.

 

[Nycrusupporter]

I don't know the details of the NHL setup but the NBA has good rules to help team continuity and retaining your own players:

1. Teams can offer their own FAs a better "max contract" than another team (extra year and higher overall value)
2. Bird Rules: Teams can go over the cap to resign their own free agents. Incentive to keep your own players because if they leave you don't just get that cap space to spend other places.

Maybe in theory, but the contracts don‘t seem to mean much and the best players have regularly forced their way to other teams when they were not happy.

 

[Kbee3]

Maybe in theory, but the contracts don‘t seem to mean much and the best players have regularly forced their way to other teams when they were not happy.

I guess the next shoe to drop is they'll start switching teams at halftime of games.

 

[hoquat63]

Socialism means using force. There is no force applied in professional sports. Athletes are free to not play or attempt to create their own league. And pro sports is definitely work.

Actually it would be socialism if the players owned the team, or if the government owned the team.

 

[Conq1234569]

Socialism means using force.

No it doesn't. Read a book.