LeBron basically said his family was dirt poor, but in order for him to even step foot on a college campus, his family wouldn’t be poor anymore.
Good for Lebron.. he never played in college. He went straight to the NBA. Is that what he is suggesting every kid who wants to end up in the NBA do?
For so many kids it should be a case that they have 4-5 years to change their lives and earn a college degree in exchange for playing a game they love.
I know the competition between schools.. and conferences.. and TV networks.. has resulted in big money being involved here and some top recruits get illegal financial benefits... that makes the college programs corrupt and, by essentially looking the other way and even assisting programs in keeping athletes eligible and not forcing them to work toward or earn a degree.. the colleges are somewhat corrupt.. and by not enforcing or enacting rules to keep the promise of a college education real for athletes.. the NCAA is, indeed, corrupt.
I have seen a lot of self-serving commentary that the NCAA Tourney provide 90% of the NCAA operating budget.. but that budget is spent to support championships in every other sport... and whatever other services the NCAA provides to allow for more fair competition... as well as, I'm sure, some nice paychecks for some and nice offices and other nice perks. But really.. where is that money supposed to come from?
We all know how that works growing up right? You pay fees to play.. to pay for trophies and refs and on and on. In this case a popular sport and TV contract pays for 90% of it. I do not think this means the athletes are being taken advantage of.
Perhaps anyone saying so undervalues a college education... or really never wanted one.. they just want their shot at the NBA. So do that.. don't go to college.. don't take up a scholarship someone else might really want.. someone who values that degree.
