OTL: NCAA Mixed Messages - ESPN Video

This is a topic that really strikes a chord with me. The NCAA is a governing body that is, in my opinion, a collection of hypocrites. They are greedy and nosey. They are bossy and unwavering. I can't stand it. I am incredibly frustrated by the decison-makers of my favorite sport. How can they represent amatuer athletes, claim to protect their amatuerism, but collect the millions of dollars that these programs generate but not share it with the athletes that are bringing the fans to the stadium? I know. I know. The athletes get a free education. Big woop. Even the highest-priced education might cost about $45000 to $55000 in a four or five-year span. Compare that to a football program like the one at the University of Texas that profitted over $80 million last season. PROFITTED OVER $80 million. That's right. Profit, not gross revenue. Profit. They paid everyone, bought new equipment and still had EIGHTY MILLION DOLLARS left over. You mean to tell me that Colt McCoy doesn't deserve a stipend? They can't lease him a Honda Civic? Please.
Then, the NCAA wants to stick their beak in, and start handing out suspensions when a booster or fan wants to reward them for their hard work stating that no student-athlete should benefit monetarily or by other benefit not available to any other student on the basis of athletic performance or talent. That statement is garbage. Being better than everyone else is exactly why student-athletes should get paid because that's why people buy tickets for the games, concessions at the stadiums, t shirts at the gift shops, and why alumni "donate" to the program.   That's why he or she gets to go to school for free.  It's why he or she gets a better meal plan, better tutors and access to nicer fitness equipment than the student rec center offers.

Evidently, the NCAA is making so much money, they can lend the kids out to shoe companies and video game companies and make more dollars.  Instead of keeping the pie all to themselves like they used to, the committee enlisted the help of outside entities like ESPN, Nike and EA Sports to make the pie bigger, share it, and get fatter.