(03-04-2018 02:21 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  There isn’t any significant legitimate market for endorsement money but for a limited set of stars. There are plenty of major sport pro athletes who make nothing or a nominal sum.
Now if we are talking about say EA Sports or someone offering a video game with real players and every player getting a payment, I’m fine with that.
But 4 Star being offered $100,000 from Bobs Used Carplex in Tuscaloosa after he signs with Bama? I ain’t buying that as a legitimate payment tied to the guy’s advertising value.
Right now if you play baseball, soccer, track, golf, tennis, or ski and you think you have endorsement value the answer is simple, go pro.
If you play basketball you can go pro overseas or play in a minor league.
Football is the only sport where the star 18 and 19 year old has no option.


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I agree there are a limited number of athletes who could command significant endorsements at this early stage of their careers. For reasons you point out, the potential for abuse of this method of providing money for athletes is too great to be a practical solution.

There aren't any easy answers to this issue. While I never thought I would ever say this, I am coming around to think that agents may be the answer. The problem is sorting out legitimate (relatively ethical) agents from the sleazebags may be too hard to overcome. Perhaps we could allow players to receive payments from agents who have been vetted and certified by both the NCAA and the NBA or NFL. There would have to be some system in which both the athletes and the agents would have to report to the vetting bodies any payments made, and the athletes would have to demonstrate by providing copies of tax returns to prove that they are above board and legal.

I think we would be surprised at the relatively small number of players who could command significant compensation from this source.