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The NCAA has 800 million reasons to stay quiet on fall sports.
Time for a thread
Time for a thread
1) The major news over the weekend was that the Mid-American Conference (MAC) postponed all fall sports, including football.
Rumors are now circulating that the majority of Power 5 conferences will do the same shortly. https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1292146950490341377
Rumors are now circulating that the majority of Power 5 conferences will do the same shortly. https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1292146950490341377
2) But with all this chatter going on, why haven’t we heard from the NCAA?
It all comes down to one thing, March Madness.
The NCAA makes over 80% of their revenue, or about $800M, from March Madness alone ( @CNBC).
It’s their single biggest sporting event by far.
It all comes down to one thing, March Madness.
The NCAA makes over 80% of their revenue, or about $800M, from March Madness alone ( @CNBC).
It’s their single biggest sporting event by far.
3) It is important to understand that the NCAA has no authority to cancel CFB conference schedules.
That power lies within each conference individually.
Based on that, I think the NCAA doesn’t want to risk saying the wrong thing, and potentially jeopardize the 2020 CBB season.
That power lies within each conference individually.
Based on that, I think the NCAA doesn’t want to risk saying the wrong thing, and potentially jeopardize the 2020 CBB season.
4) It’s a no-win situation for the NCAA.
If they say fall sports should be cancelled, they’ll be looked at poorly when they try to start basketball season on time.
If they say sports should be played this fall, people will slam them for prioritizing profit over player safety.
If they say fall sports should be cancelled, they’ll be looked at poorly when they try to start basketball season on time.
If they say sports should be played this fall, people will slam them for prioritizing profit over player safety.
5) So if you are a projected 1st round pick in this year’s NFL draft, should you sit out?
These 1st round picks have already opted-out:
Gregory Rousseau (Miami)
Rashod Bateman (Minnesota)
Rondale Moore (Purdue)
Micah Parsons (Penn State)
Jaylen Twyman (Pitt)
Caleb Farley (VT)
These 1st round picks have already opted-out:
Gregory Rousseau (Miami)
Rashod Bateman (Minnesota)
Rondale Moore (Purdue)
Micah Parsons (Penn State)
Jaylen Twyman (Pitt)
Caleb Farley (VT)
6) We’ve also seen players like Trevor Lawrence & Justin Fields, who have the most to lose this season, come out in support of moving forward with the 2020 College Football Season. https://twitter.com/Trevorlawrencee/status/1292672300152758273
7) Each player has different circumstances but I think potential 1st round draft picks should base their decision off one important aspect:
Their ability to get COVID-19 health related issues covered under a pre-season insurance protection plan.
Their ability to get COVID-19 health related issues covered under a pre-season insurance protection plan.
8) Traditionally, the best players in college football will take out insurance prior to the season in an effort to insure earnings should they suffer a potential career threatening injury.
But will providers be willing to include pandemic language this year?
But will providers be willing to include pandemic language this year?
9) Most insurance providers supposedly “stopped covering viruses following the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil during the Zika outbreak” ( @JabariJYoung).
Point being, if they are unwilling to insert the language for top draft picks, that would make the decision much easier.
Point being, if they are unwilling to insert the language for top draft picks, that would make the decision much easier.
10) Ultimately, my issue with the NCAA is their complete lack of leadership throughout this time of uncertainty.
You can’t act like the highest power in the room during peace time, but disappear when leadership is needed most.
Which begs the question, when will they speak up?
You can’t act like the highest power in the room during peace time, but disappear when leadership is needed most.
Which begs the question, when will they speak up?
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