If the States ensure the leagues and NCAA get a piece of the action via “integrity fees” or other such euphemism, there will be no favors needed.
At its core, this isn’t a morals issue as much as it is a money issue.
“this isn’t a morals issue as much as it is a money issue.”
Completely agree. But the laws that are in place are based upon morals and not legalities. Roe is a perfect example. He is not still banned from the sport because of his gambling in my mind. He is there because he lied about it for many years and embarrassed the sport. He was way too valuable a commodity in the game to lower its standards. And the unfortunate end is that it set a standard of overkill with the athletes coming in.
They are ignored now for some of the conduct they have performed that years ago would have been enough to be suspended from the public eye if for no other reason than protecting the sport from a fan scrutiny that would hammer profits. Look what the knee routine has done for pro football profits. But the media has protected sports from the public. And anyone who thinks these people are being paid tremendous amounts of money to do a moderate job on the field for just their play, is greatly mistaken. They are giving up their privacy and family for the money. Whether they like it or not, they are role models. And the actions of thug athletes has set a new standard with our youth. And it ain’t higher.
rwood