Wild Idea to solve the NCAA/NBA Issues

By:  Dan Barto

As writers across the country keep commenting on the current issues between the NCAA/NBA collusions, I have spent a week researching the different possibilities where everyone wins.

The NCAA solidifies a committee who identifies the 100 top high school seniors based on pro potential.  These players will be required to participate in the NCAA for one year like the current rule state.  During the process the players can either enter the draft after one year or complete or four years of college.  The players regardless of future performance will be paid $20,000 dollars per year which is a total of $80,000 per player. 

If the player does not pass at least 9 credits per semester they are reduced to $10,000 the following year.  This way the school has no other responsibility other than to run it's institution. 

Over the course of 4 years worth of players it could cost a max of $8 million per year plus taxes.  With players not meeting academic requirements, leaving early for the NBA and leaving for overseas it would be much less.  In return for the $8 million the panel that the NCAA selects which will consist of former players, coaches, agents, front office members and financial planners will be readily available to answer questions and consult with the board.

The NBA would then change the CBA, whether it causes a strike or not, to include a clause that says this board will represent these players for the rookie contract.  All contracts both through the team and involving marketing will be set for 4 years under strict policies.  This would allow the players to adjust and focus on their profession basically making the same amount of money as before but the people on the periphery would not.

I have based a lot of the philosophy on entering the military here in the US.  Many times super talented minds in the military leave the game to go into business on their own or in consulting.  After 4 years under the NBA/NCAA committee the players that make it will become free agents.  Anyone who wants to negotiate with the players including shoe companies and agents will need to be monitored by the committee but only marketing contracts will be signed. 

Players who are not in the top 100 must focus on development and education while attending college and will stay more focused on percentages of how many make it and fighting for spots in what is left for the unranked.  College coaches, AAU coaches, agents, shoe companies and greedy family members would like all other have to wait anywhere from 4-8 years to capitalize on these kids unless the kids choose to give them a piece of the action which was negotiated by the committee.  This puts the college coach in a position to actually help the players in their program make wise decisions about their future and would always have the ear of the committee.

Under this system the committee could also directly influence what players are doing once inside of an NBA organization.  The players would have to work really hard so that when that free agent contract came they were a desirable commodity.  This also would stop the backdoor agent/front office dealings that may occur.  Players who may not pan out after 4 years or maybe 2 years for second round picks would also be able to use the committee and college coaches for advice

Yes, there would be tons of scandals that resulted but the players would be educated heavily in the business and be able to make the best case situation decisions.  Many players are already starting their own companies and agencies because they are realizing that people do not always have their best interest or development in mind.  If there are any problems, every thing is documented by the committee so that there is a level of accountability. 

There would be no limit on marketing but the NBA would then have access to all deals putting everything on the table for the record.  If Nike wants to pay Lebron $100 million fine or if they want to pay him 5 million for the first 3 years that's fine too and it is all his and he has the power after the fourth year to go with anyone he wants.  They will spend the money on what will sell shoes immediately so they will pay. 

Now most will cry that this is causing a monopoly and I would say no more of a monopoly than the NFL or MLB.  If they NBA want to go global they have to clean things up with ideas like this.  Let's face it $20000/year after taxes is less than $1500 a month clear which most bad waiters in a college town make working less hours.

The NBA teams would split the costs through a yearly fee and would each have one full time member on the committee.  The players union would chose one former player to represent each team as well as ten outside members.  Membership would be four year terms max.  Only the 10 outside members would be paid for by the NBA, the other fees would be covered by the team

If agents want to start paying players knowing that at minimum it will take 4-8 years to get a return that will shorten the field of agents.  By reducing the playing field it should improve integrity, increase client satisfaction, and required those involved to bring tangible services to the table when negotiating.

The first few years of this process would be a battle but just like the 19 year old/one year removed people will just accept it and adjust.