Extra Benefits, Not College Athlete Pay, Is The Answer According To Jim Delaney

Big 10 Commissioner Jim Delaney doesn’t believe in college athlete pay, but he does want student-athletes to have more benefits.

Speaking to a small group of reporters, Delaney said student-athletes who want “professionalize themselves” shouldn’t attend NCAA schools. He hinted at other ways athletes could get into their profession, such as baseball’s minor leagues.

Delaney explained:

“They can get as strong and fast in that environment as they can in this environment. Plus they don’t have to go to school. They can sell their likeness and do whatever they want to do. We don’t want to do that. We want to do what we’ve been doing for 100 years” – which, he said, was how long it has taken college sports’ wealthiest athletic programs to build their brand.”

Despite his strong words against college athlete pay, Delaney does thing student-athletes should have greater benefits from their school. He suggests, among other options, living stipends the schools could give out.

He also believes the NFL should be able to come up with a “minor league type system” for athletes who would prefer to make money right away.

Delaney’s remarks expressed the feelings of most colleges in regards to paying their athletes. He continued, “brands have been bulit over 100 years. It’s not about any 17- or 18-year-old who demands, ‘I want to be paid for play.’ ”

College athlete pay has created a major controversy with athletes like Johnny Manziel. The Texas A&M quarterback was suspended for the first half of his teams opener after he was caught signing autographs for money.

Do you think college athletes should get paid?

[image via Wikimedia Commons]