NBA and NCAA come up with incentive

While the sports media focused on the NBA All-Star celebration last weekend, NBA Commissioner David Stern made an intriguing announcement to the Washington Post about a proposal from the NCAA. It concerned loans based on future earnings that would be given to players as both an incentive to stay in college and as a deterrent against the temptation of lucrative NBA contracts.

MIKE DAVIS/NEWSMAKERS A new proposal by the NCCA is aimed at keeping star players in college.

According to NCCA rationale, "The ability for elite student-athletes to obtain loans based on athletic ability or reputation should help minimize concerns related to potential agent and booster involvement."

Stern outlined the guidelines of the proposal, including a $20,000 maximum on loans, which are provided by "centralized lending associations." One further requirement is that eligible student-athletes qualify for, and obtain, the NCAA's Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Insurance Program; thus, an investment in the player would be protected from the risk of injury.

NCAA Spokesman Wally Renfro confirmed that Stern and NCAA President Cedric Dempsey had spoken about the proposal, emphasizing that the conversation concerned "the appropriate role for the two organizations in the transition from college to professional for student-athletes." Although the official NCAA proposal fails to mention any incentive to keep student-athletes in college, Stern touted this aspect of the proposal. "We recognize that $20,000 is not to be compared to $8 million," he said. "This was just a sense that [college] scholarship programs just take advantage of kids who don't even have any spending money to deal with and so they get out quickly."

Here Stern hits a crucial point—the importance of this proposal rests not in keeping college athletes in school, but in keeping the corrupting influences of agents out of the college arena. The NCAA has increasingly dealt with college athletes who risk their pro careers, not to mention their own reputations, by accepting illegal incentives by agents. University of New Mexico basketball recruit Malcolm Battles was caught stealing a $179 stereo from K-Mart; University of Cincinnati forward Eugene Land stole $256 worth of socks and underwear; and University of Cincinnati guard DerMarr Johnson accepted $7,500 from his former American Athletic Association coach to help pay for his senior year of high school. Darius Miles of the L.A. Clippers is a prime example of how impoverished student-athletes are tempted. Miles opted to forgo college for the NBA, a decision certainly influenced by the poverty in which he grew up in Illinois. It is because of stories like this that I support the NCAA's attempt to prevent players from either leaving college early or avoiding college completely for lack of money. Although $20,000 is negligible compared to what an outstanding college athlete might make in the pros, it offers some financial flexibility, which might encourage student-athletes to think twice before accepting bribes, shoplifting, or prematurely discussing professional athletics with an agent.

The proposal coincides with the National Basketball Developmental League, coined the "D League," slated to begin in November. The league is expected to serve as a minor league equivalent for the NBA. Interestingly, the D League has a minimum age of 20. "This is not an alternative to going to college," NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik emphasized. "We don't want a league of 18- and 19-year-olds." It certainly is the NBA's prerogative to establish a minimum age limit, and this age requirement comes as no surprise considering Stern's past desire to set the NBA minimum age at 20. It is puzzling to note, however, that Granik assured that the NCAA was not consulted when this age limit was set. Regarding this issue, Ian Thomsen reported in Sports Illustrated in the Mon., Jan. 29 issue, "Granik was implored by NCAA President Cedric Dempsey and other commission members to consider 18 as the minimum age. Those members hoped the D League would provide a home for players with no interest in a college education."

But isn't this inherently contradictory? On one hand the NCAA proposes a loan that not only encourages student-athletes with professional potential to remain in college, but it also hinders the powerful reach of agents and their monetary promises. On the other hand, the NCAA supports an 18-year-old age minimum in a league so that the NCAA won't have to deal with student-athletes who may be more athlete than student.

The NCAA should focus on keeping student-athletes in school and encouraging them to graduate with a college degree. The benefit of the loan program is obvious; however, even with the insurance agreement protecting players from the risk of injury, insurance does not cover old age and fatigue. Eventually professional athletes have to fall back on something—typically their education—and it is the duty of the NCAA to encourage all student-athletes to appreciate college for its true worth, not just to view it as a four-year showcase for their talents.

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