Athletes Skipping College For Minors/NFL

[MrSerendipity]

Per ESPN:

Quote:

"Maybe in football and basketball, it would work better if more kids had a chance to go directly into the professional ranks," Delany said. "If they're not comfortable and want to monetize, let the minor leagues flourish. Train at IMG, get agents to invest in your body, get agents to invest in your likeness and establish it on your own. But don't come here and say, 'We want to be paid $25,000 or $50,000.' Go to the D-League and get it, go to the NBA and get it, go to the NFL and get it. Don't ask us what we've been doing. "If an athlete wants to professionalize themselves, professionalize themselves. We've been training kids for professional sports. I argue it's the color, I argue it's the institution. If you think it's about you, then talk to John Havlicek about that, you've got to talk to Michael Jordan about that. These brands have been built over 100 years." - Jim Delaney, Big Ten Commissioner

What are your thoughts on this? Personally, I'm surprised that a Commissioner would come out and suggest this given it would hurt the schools he represents, financially. Football is a big money-maker for these Universities and if there was a NFL Minor League these kids could opt into, it'd diminish the talent on the field. The only reasoning I can come up with on Delaney's part is that maybe he wants to force a "Go to the NFL and let them use your likeness" or "Go to College and let us use your likeness" kind of future for Football Athletes. What are your thoughts on an NFL Minor League? Admittedly, it would be interesting to see the Rookies and Practice Squad guys play in a Minor League setting.

(If the moderators deem this thread is more appropriate for the Professional Football forum, please move it.)

[AUChase]

I don't like it as a fan of College Football.

Look at the leagues with a farm system, specifically Major League Baseball.

It's college counterpart is almost completely irrelevant because of the minors.

Watson on OS is the ONLY person I know that really even cares deeply about college baseball either online or in person.

[MrSerendipity]

Quote: Originally Posted by AUChase

I don't like it as a fan of College Football. Look at the leagues with a farm system, specifically Major League Baseball. It's college counterpart is almost completely irrelevant because of the minors. Watson on OS is the ONLY person I know that really even cares deeply about college baseball either online or in person.

I'm in agreement, I love College Football and I hate to see it lose it's luster because the best athletes are opting for the minors. I keep up with Texas's baseball team but that's about it. While I think it would be interesting to see an NFL Minor League, I wouldn't want to see it at the expense of College Football.

[VTPack919]

Quote: Originally Posted by AUChase

I don't like it as a fan of College Football. Look at the leagues with a farm system, specifically Major League Baseball. It's college counterpart is almost completely irrelevant because of the minors. Watson on OS is the ONLY person I know that really even cares deeply about college baseball either online or in person.

*Raises hand sheepishly*

Granted I only really follow ACC baseball. I don't really post about it though. There aren't really enough people to talk about it with.

[WWF80sKid]

I don't like this idea at all. College football is hands down my absolute favorite sport. I hate the offseason and get so happy and giddy when college football is around the corner. To see some of these top notch athletes opt out of any school to go to the minors would not necessarily kill the sport, but it would hurt it.

[Jr.]

I would be for it. I love college football, but I'm tired of all of these "stories" about players taking money and everything. If it helps clean out the game and focus more on the field, I would be all for it.

Unfortunately, I seriously doubt it'll happen. The NFL has no reason to create a minor league system.. they have the perfect one already. The status quo works perfectly for them to make as much money as possible.

[OSUFan_88]

Pretty much every major sport except the NFL doesn't have a professional league you can go to right out of high school.

Personally, I'm all for it. It would get rid of the money whores in college football. Sure, the product would suffer, but why should college sports be such a money maker anyway?

[AUChase]

Quote: Originally Posted by OSUFan_88

Pretty much every major sport except the NFL doesn't have a professional league you can go to right out of high school. Personally, I'm all for it. It would get rid of the money whores in college football. Sure, the product would suffer, but why should college sports be such a money maker anyway?

It's just a victim of it's own success, I suppose..

a true double edged sword.