5 responses to anti-union Mark Emmert’s ‘CFL players’ argument

Embattled NCAA president Mark Emmert was interviewed on ESPN’s “Mike & Mike” Friday morning. This was brave, as a Twitter hashtag meant to solicit questions from the public quickly revealed:

And while the public instantly skewered just about everything Emmert said during his appearance, one quote stands out to me:

It’s become a common argument tactic among those who oppose the idea of college athletes organizing to push for reforms. Be careful what you wish for, kids, because once you’re an employee, you might get fired! (Of course, this overlooks the facts that they can already get fired and that ensuring scholarships are locked in for more than just one football season is one of the union’s 11 stated goals.)

But bringing in the hiring-old-people and CFL angles are new twists. So, alright, let’s do this.

1. Most universities have academic programs for grown-ups. Many adults choose to go back to school in order to enhance their career potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics on people ages 25 and up:

Why do we only care about the eventual careers of people who are currently teenagers? Shouldn’t everyone be able to go pro in something other than sports, even older people? What about 18-year-olds makes them more worthy of opportunities?

2. Outgoing Florida State wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin is a 23-year-old redshirt sophomore. Former Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden was taken in the NFL Draft as a 28-year-old former professional baseball player. You already hire adults, Mark.

3. In fact, via Vox.com ...

... going to college at the age of 18 is so 20th century.

4. Canada produces a fine amount of solid offensive linemen and running backs, but not very many homegrown star quarterbacks. So, yes, the SEC would be more than happy to tap into the Canadian talent market.

5. NCAA sports make more money than the CFL does. Hilariously more.

A Conference Board of Canada report on the nation’s pro sports market recently estimated the CFL generates annual revenues of between $120 million and $150 million.

Texas had $165.7 million in operating revenue and $146.8 million in operating expenses for 2012-13, according to its latest annual financial report to the NCAA. Both are highs for the school.

Edit: Also, CFL players would likely have very little NCAA eligibility remaining anyway. So even if a college team were to hire a pro football player (who’d have to qualify at the school to even play), in almost every case, he’d have one year of eligibility left, tops. Once again, an NCAA doomsday scenario wouldn’t actually amount to a whole lot.