College acts as a minor league

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany says it’s not a college's responsibility to provide cash to athletes when they are receiving educational benefits. He this comment at the BCS meeting last week. Delany said, “Why is it our job to be minor leagues for professional sports?”

Delany spoke out last week at the BCS meeting about how colleges are a minor league for professional sports.

“But don't come here [college] and say you 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,” Delany said. The only problem is the NFL and NBA restricts athletes coming straight from high school.

Joe Griffin, head coach of the Roosevelt University men’s basketball team, agrees with some of Delany’s comments.

“It is a minor league,” Griffin said.

“There are all sorts of professions out there to where college is not the best avenue to take at that time.”

Griffin's had the opportunity to coach two seasons at Michigan State University under the helm of Tom Izzo. Griffin and Izzo led the Spartans to back-to-back 50-win seasons, two NCAA Tournament berths, and a trip to the Sweet 16. He's seen firsthand this issue about players making a jump from the Big Ten to the professional ranks.

According to the collective bargaining agreement that was approved by the NBA, players and the players union back in December 2011 states, all players must be 19-years-old during the calendar year of the draft.

Coach Griffin is on the fence about the NBA’s policy. He said if a player is good enough to play professionally then they should be allow to go. Griffin and the rest of the world will have to wait on that policy changing. The agreement lasts for 10 years and the next time changes can be made is in 2021.

However, Coach Griffin says that players going pro out of high school could have some affect on college athletics.

“You wouldn’t get as many players…in the colleges,” said Griffin. But overall he says some players would stay for their senior year regardless.

According to reports, the NCAA is facing an uphill battle paying athletes. Coach Griffin says that players should get paid money for the talents.

“Not at all … in men’s basketball in the Division I, there is thirteen full scholarships players on each team … and they’re getting a full ride scholarship. They’re getting tremendous perks and benefits in terms of being a part of that team and that program.”

Although it seems like athletes are receiving compensation through a scholarship, it could be difficult for some to just accept that when conferences,such as the Big Ten made nearly $310 million in 2012-2013, according to Forbes. At least for now, Delany says it’s fair to pay players with education.