Last weekend, I floated the idea of the NFL and NBA creating strong developmental leagues. High school players who really have no interest in class could be signed to play in these leagues and paid accordingly, then drafted after a year in hoops and two or three in football. Colleges could then recruit real student athletes who want to play and learn, and have them commit to at least three years of schooling.
The NCAA will oppose this because the best players would probably opt to go pro. Networks might try to weasel out of big money deals. But college sports would still be competitive and exciting, just not at the very top level. And some of the student athletes might blossom into stars that could make the pros. At least they’d appreciate the 50-60 grand scholarships.
The pro leagues would have to subsidize the D leagues at first, but if they concentrate on smaller cities who would love to have a franchise, they could make a profit within a few years, playing on nights when the pros aren’t.
A crazy idea with a lot of obstacles, but Lebron James and Barack Obama have suggested much the same thing. Worth a try.
