For years NCAA Division I athletic programs have maintained they are all about the student-athlete. The decisions being made regarding fall football will allow the NCAA and Power 5 conferences to show us once and for all where they really lie in regards to the well being of the student-athlete.
Divisions II and III are often looked at by most observers of the NCAA as the true bastion of the student-athlete where academics and athletics are joined together in a harmonious relationship. Division II received 4.37% of the annual NCAA revenues prior to Covid-19. The NCAA Division III received 3.18%. Despite accounting for the majority of schools in the NCAA that play college football, the two divisions receive just more than 7.5% of the annual revenues while Division I receives over 90% of the revenue.
So why have so many Division I (27 to date) schools cancelled fall sports and why are so many fighting to keep them? The answer to both is simple- finances. For many smaller programs at D1, the loss of income from playing the Power 5 teams is devastating to their programs. The MAC conference, U Conn and U Mass are examples of schools with no one to play because of schedule changes among the Power 5 conferences. Schools do not have anyone to play who can give them the financial guarantees that in many cases is the differences for these smaller schools making budget or facing losses.
For the Power 5 conferences, the loss of football this fall means far more. Most athletic programs at their universities will be shut down because of a significant loss of revenue. One Big Ten athletic director told their staff last spring that if football is not played this fall, there would be no other sports competing at their school. Schools like Ohio State and Michigan are already anticipating over $25 million in budget loss even while playing to reduced crowds. Wisconsin reportedly is expecting almost $100 million in losses.
It is more than just salaries and budgets being affected by the canceling of football. It’s the local economies taking big hits. Bars and restaurants, merchandise sales and tailgating is just a few of the ways local economies are impacted. Big time college football is a $100 billion industry. The financial pressure to play is enormous and overwhelming the health concerns raised by most experts.
The decision to play this fall needs to be based on the safety and health issues facing the student-athletes, staff and coaches and the experiences the student-athlete will have as a result of competing in college athletics while pursuing a college degree. If schools and universities consider anything else they are admitting college athletics has never been about the student-athlete but rather the economic, entertainment and marketing value for the university.
Most universities know that their ability to place athletes in a bubble like the NHL and NBA is impossible. Student-athletes will be in contact with other students, staff and community members while competing. Does anyone think the student-athletes won’t get together with their friends on a Saturday night to celebrate a big game? Even our professional athletes can’t do this! Can universities insure the safety of everyone involved in college athletics in this environment? That is the ultimate question. If they can, and are willing to accept the liability this decision brings, play! If not, postpone until they can.
Oh Geez Sports 