The start of fall also means the start of college athletics. Athletes are back at their respective colleges if not there all summer to take classes and work out. The football season is now here meaning plenty opportunities for bets, pools and fantasy leagues for college athletes.
The rules are a bit off and need to be changed. The NCAA says that no athlete, coach or official can participate in fantasy leagues, bets or provide information to those people with bets. For the most part, the organization is correct with their restrictions…and rightfully so. They are looking out for the student athlete and their respective school with these regulations.
What I argue is the fact that student athletes are not suppose to take part in fantasy leagues or a March Madness pool despite everyone of their peers are probably in at least a couple. Betting is one thing. But for one to willingly join a fantasy league with 9 close friends is ridiculous. It’s good clean fun. It is evident these athletes are on a platform but these leagues have no implications on their team or the NCAA for that matter.
Fantasy leagues have boomed in the last five years. Heck even ESPN has a “fantasy expert” for what that’s worth. Now every sports enthusiast and their mom takes part in a league or two for that matter. Many have no buy-in or reward. Those that do probably cost $10 to join. What the NCAA and their rules are doing however, are placing a ban on these activities.
Then there is the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. One of the most popular and exciting times throughout the year. It is a time where productivity drops immensely throughout the first couple of weeks because sports fans are watching games all day. Even our nations president has a pool in the tournament. It is widely published and talked about. Yet NCAA athletes are not “suppose” to have a pool with family or friends? Come on.
Betting on games, helping with the line and providing insider information is clearly wrong and consequences are in place. But seriously, not being able to join fantasy leagues or March Madness pools are ridiculous. Let these kids turn off their video games and do something else for once. The only regulation that would make sense is disallowing any NCAA affiliate from receiving a big money prize in the likelihood of winning. For instance if a person won the $1,000,000 prize from ESPN Fantasy. What are the chances though right?
The NCAA does provide seminars, meetings and resources for universities to help their athletes be proactive. Just today I found http://dontbetonit.org, which is a resource for outsiders that want to see what is allowable, and the type of information that is being relayed to a typical student athlete.
Betting on games has a direct impact on myself and the NBA/WNBA as well. As a ball boy, we as a group take care of the officials like getting them shower towels, Gatorade, or food. We have no influence on the games and receive no special information. However last season, the NBA officials stopped tipping us after each game, something that we were use to and expected. The officials felt bad and do not like the rules because their service dropped. After the Tim Donaghy fiasco, the league has to be proactive thus not allowing referees to tip ball boys for their services. They want to avoid any influence or knowledge being passed down the grape vine…but it never happened anyway. We are just doing our job and wish to be compensated for it like anything else.
Gambling is a hot topic in sports around the world. The NCAA has its rules and regulations that athletes, coaches and schools must abide…but I think it’s time for a few modifications.
hey scott. great argument. the trouble is where do you draw the line. The NCAA tournament is unreal! Everybody has to be involved!!!!!
Its a valid argument. There’s no question this is a topic to be discussed. Yet it won’t get any daylight because the NCAA has more important things in mind.
The NCAA (not-for-profit my ass) continues to control these ATHLETES and use them to their advantage. Of course, because they can and NOBODY is gonna stop em.