Gonzalez Says Players Exploited

The Columbus Dispatch ^ | Thursday, January 04, 2007 | Tim May and Ken Gordon

[buccaneer81]

Gonzalez says players exploited Thursday, January 04, 2007 Tim May and Ken Gordon THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Ohio State receiver Anthony Gonzalez yesterday offered his take on the fact that the national championship game will generate nearly $34 million for Big Ten and Southeastern Conference schools but nothing for the players.

"In all honesty, one of the most exploited groups of people in the country — not in the world, but in the United States — are college athletes," Gonzalez said yesterday. "We basically have a job that generates millions and millions and millions of dollars, and at the end of the day, don’t really see any of it. But that’s the reality. There is nothing you can do about it."

Asked what would be fair compensation, Gonzalez said, "I really don’t know. What would be fair would probably sink the whole idea of college football. … Despite this, I love college."

The players are working for a full scholarship, which is worth about $125,000 over four years, said Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, who didn’t want to enter into a discussion about additional pay for play.

Gonzalez, an academic All-American, acknowledged the education aspect should not be discounted, despite the time demands of playing major college football.

"The fact you are given an education and it’s up to you to make the most of it, I don’t feel we’re exploited academically at all," Gonzalez said. "As for the time demands, part of being a student-athlete in high school, middle school, what have you, is finding a way to make sure you do your very best at both things. That’s why it is so well respected in the job market."

Asked for a reaction, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said, "I don’t think I would say ‘exploited.’ We have 36 sports (at OSU), almost a thousand athletes, most of whom don’t generate anything, and they’re getting a pretty good situation. Now those that happened to be blessed to be in the sports that do generate (money), I for one think you should be grateful for the fact you’re getting to help those other 900 and something.

"But no, I wouldn’t say exploited. If that were the case, maybe 18-year-olds would go start a league and see how they do."

[buccaneer81]

Just tossing this out. I can see a bit of both sides, but I guess the idea of a free education overrules the "exploitation" argument.

[buccaneer81]

PING!

[pissant]

Shut up and play, you whiner.

[Jaysun]

The idea that they're exploited in any way is absurd to me, and similar to the Marxist idea that workers are exploited. They play because they want to and can quit any time. There are several benefits to being a college football player besides the obvious scholarships.

[rogue yam]

If this child genius doesn't like being a Buckeye then what's stopping him from taking a hike?

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Giving an excuse before Florida beats them and Boise State being the only unbeaten team!

[maximusaurelius]

I tend to agree but I know Joe Paterno has talked about paying players, I believe for this preutcise reason. I am sure he's talked about it and explained his thinking but I can't recall. JoePa is actually a bit of a progressive in college football (instant replay is one other example) and I think the world of the guy so maybe it's not the worst thing to think about.
That said, this guy should shut up. He knew the rules when he came in.

[buccaneer81]

There are several benefits to being a college football player

The cheerleaders are smokin' ;-)

Seriously, here in Columbus, if you played football for OSU, your resume need say nothing else. You're in, just on your name.

[Crawdad]

I was with him until he said, "at the end of the day." What a loser.

[Sonny M]

They can quit college, but they can't go pro until what would be the equivalent of their junior year (football wise, not NBA wise or other sports, it varies).

That said, the best argument to make is that they are underpaid.

Its not like these schools actually educate them or anything.

[stop_fascism]

grateful for the fact you’re getting to help those other 900 and something

I wonder if Tressel would like to be paid the same as the woman's field hockey coach. In order to "help" don't you know.

[buccaneer81]

Giving an excuse before Florida beats them and Boise State being the only unbeaten team!

If that were to happen, Boise State should be # 1. But you know it would never happen, no matter how much sense it makes.

[Sonny M]

If this child genius doesn't like being a Buckeye then what's stopping him from taking a hike?

Money.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

I'm a real Buckeyes fan and I hope, based upon this article, Gonzoles get hammered.

Watta putz.

[I see my hands]

To: Coach

"maybe 18 year olds would go start a league and see how they do"

Maybe you should start a league w/o the 18 year olds and see how you do.

[buccaneer81]

They can quit college, but they can't go pro until what would be the equivalent of their junior year

Didn't quite work for Maurice Clarett...;-)

[tickmeister]

One of the most laughable aspects of this is the idea that 4 years of indoctrination at OU is worth $125,000.

The kid is dead on. Millionaire coaches and NCAA drones drag in the big bucks and pay the kids who generate it nothing of any consequence.

Besides that the whole idea of an "athletic scholarship" is a farce. Scholarships should go to scholars, athletes should get paid for their ability if they are good enough and somebody will pay to watch them.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Giving an excuse before Florida beats them and Boise State being the only unbeaten team!

Wat???? Double Wat?? for Boise State (you really should know better)

Saddam will enter Christian heaven before Florida has a CHANCE to beat the Buckeyes.

You'll turn the game off after the first quarter.

[isthisnickcool]

The taxpayer is exploited when cities build these giant stadiums using taxpayer money. The taxpayers make no money while the team owners and others rake the money in. On rare occasion a guy can put in a few bucks and get back millions so he can run for president and buy a nice ranch out in Crawford. All off the taxpayers back. A darn good deal if you can get it. Better than cattle futures.

[Michael.SF.]

Just tossing this out. I can see a bit of both sides

The 'value' of a college education is minimal for most of the athletes, truth be told, as many of them never graduate. Those that go into the NFL do not use their degrees.

The real value of college though is the on field education which they receive from the coaches. How much is that worth? I say colleges should 'sign' these guys to a five year 'contract' (one year for red shirting). They get paid a reasonable amount to live on, education is free and coaching is not charged to them. If they leave before the contract has expired, then the school should be compensated by the NFL team that signs them, for the cost of coaching.

As in any business the investment, in an employee, to teach them the job is significant. If they employee leaves for more money I should ask for compensation for having trained them.

[buccaneer81]

athletes should get paid for their ability if they are good enough and somebody will pay to watch them.

A good point considering that OSU football revenues average $75 million a year. The football program carries all the other sports financially.

[Chi-townChief]

Sounds like Gonzalez is crying all the way to the bank.

[buccaneer81]

The taxpayer is exploited when cities build these giant stadiums using taxpayer money.

Well, the OSU stadium was built in 1921 so I guess it's an exception to the rule (although it was renovated in 2001-2003 at quite a price.)

[MikefromOhio]

College Football Ping.

Freepmail me to be added to this list.


The guy has a point to a certain extent. I don't think the schools should pay the players, but if the NCAA allowed the players to do endorsements to a certain amount ($50,000 or so), that would alleviate quite a few of the problems the NCAA already has with players taking cash and stuff under the table.

The education is nice, but if you were a general student, you could take gifts or dinners or other things from people. Not so for athletes. The rules the NCAA use are antiquated and did not expect that the football bowl games would draw in this much money on a regular basis.

And before you jump on me everyone, every single one of you would be pissed if your boss was getting $34 or so MILLION and you were receiving about $12,000 or so of it.

[CindyDawg]

Aren't the players using the colleges too? What are their chances of going pro, right out of high school? I say that if the guy feels like he is being exploited , he should quit. The student right behind him might like a little playing time.

[rwilson99]

It's pure socialism.

Football and Men's Basketball fund the entire athetic departments of most major universities. However, the value of the scholarship received by both revenue and non-revenue generating athletes is exactly the same.

[Michael.SF.]

The taxpayers make no money ...

Bull.

San Francisco: I pay $2.75 per ticket city tax, It appears on the stub. Round figures that is $150,000 per game. Parking...... Goes to the city. $25.00 per car. 6,000 cars. $150,000 per game.

Arizona: Car rental tax to pay for the stadium is 7.5% (I think). I pay that when I rent a car in Az.

Hotel Tax. How many hotel rooms are rented out due to visitors for a game? 500? 1,000? tax is usually in the 5-12% range.

Other uses?

Stadiums are used for many other uses, sometimes just the parking lot for an RV show, that is revenue. There are many other examples.

[buccaneer81]

do endorsements to a certain amount ($50,000 or so)

Yup. Putting the names on the back of the jerseys and paying the royalties would cover a lot of players.

[rod1]

I would probably feel more sympathetic if I had not had personally seen the sacrifices required to put kids through college. These athelete have a free ride for that even though they do not use it.

[dfwgator]

Oh he'll be whining Monday Night after the Gators hand him and the rest of the Acorns their a$$es.

[GOP_Raider]

SMU had a pretty good "benefits package" back in the day...;)

[MikefromOhio]

The taxpayers make no money while the team owners and others rake the money in.

so the business and hotel owners/employees around the inner Harbor in Baltimore didn't see a pick up in business with Camden Yards opened??? Maybe I just imagined it....or maybe you just don't want to see that quite more often than not, the stadium gets built and the cities make their money back before they expected too from the other revenue from businesses surrounding the stadium....

But that doesn't fit the Constipationist credo, so it MUST be wrong, no matter if the taxpayers agree with it or not.

[pissant]

I don't have a dog in that fight. But Boise St. should be #1.

[PhiKapMom]

OU's stadium was expanded with donor dollars. Not one penny of tax dollars went to the renovation or the original stadium. It is all donors and our athletic department is self sufficient including giving money to other venues on campus like libraries and the writing centers. Our coaches always give a portion of their raises to the academic side of the house as well.

I haven't heard of any stadiums in college football being built with tax dollars. It is all donors here in Oklahoma for all the college football programs as far as I know.

[MikefromOhio]

Exactly.

Let them do commercials for car companies or other local businesses....

Essentially level the playing field between the athletes and the other students. There is a severe double standard if you look at the rules.

[MikefromOhio]

yeah so did the Free Shoes University

:)

[MikefromOhio]

Everything you say can and will be used....

Isn't that right GAYtor fan??

[meyer]

If you don't want to play, then get off the team. You signed up for it as is.

[ApplegateRanch]

Don't want to be exploited?

Hang up your jersey, and start paying tuition, books, room & board, and travel expenses to watch the games.

Then try to get a date with a temple priestess cheerleader.

This is presumably what you wanted, when you started Peewee League, and worked your way through to this point, in order to get a shot at the NFL.

Even if (as odds dictate) you crap out, it still opens dooors, when placed on a resume.

Kwitcherbitchen, and either shut up & play; or shut up and go away, just so's youse shuts up.

[GOP_Raider]

LOL, forgot about Free Shoes U....

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Poor OHSU players having to drive all of those old junk cars.:)

[Michael.SF.]

I haven't heard of any stadiums in college football being built with tax dollars.

USC plays at the Coliseum which was built in 1845 (I may be off on that). It was remodeled in time for the Olympics in 1984, all at taxpayer expense.

But the cost of the remodel was paid for by the success of the Olympics.

[GOP_Raider]

If that were to happen, Boise State should be # 1

No, they shouldn't. No team that nearly loses to Wyoming and Idaho should have a claim to a national title.

[fat city]

Tony:

Consider yourself an apprentice in a very lucrative career. And educated to boot.

[Hardastarboard]

a full scholarship, which is worth about $125,000 over four years

Plus all the women you want, I'm sure the teams have a great training table that represents food that the average college student can only dream about, and the prestige of being on a major university football team. Sure, there's no compensation there.

And I'm also sure that if you offered this young man a complete free ride, but he couldn't play football, he would say no.

[Michael.SF.]

Boise St. should be #1.

I note that that game is being rebroadcast tonight at 9:30 PST on FSNW (fox West?).

[MikefromOhio]

USC plays at the Coliseum which was built in 1845 (I may be off on that). It was remodeled in time for the Olympics in 1984, all at taxpayer expense.

Yeah you were off JUST a bit...

Only something llike 80 years....

Ground was broken in 1921...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LA_Coliseum

[buccaneer81]

And educated to boot.

Well, that's open to question (Chris Spielman and Terry Bradshaw come to mind.)

[dfwgator]

Look Boise State is a nice team, and they definately deserve a Top Five ranking. If Florida wins, that means they will have beaten 10 out of 11 teams they played that went to a bowl game. Also, Florida if they win would be the only team to win over two BCS teams (LSU and Ohio State).

Florida played the most brutal schedule of anyone in the country. You can't deny them if they beat Ohio State.

I want a playoff just as bad as anyone else, and if it were up to me, I would love to see UF and Boise State play each other. I think it would be a close game, but in the end, I don't think BSU has quite the depth needed to play four quarters against an elite team (sorry OU was not an elite team, they were the best from a very bad conference).

[pissant]

Cool. I only saw they replays, and even that was exciting.