Jay Bilas thinks the NCAA moves like an aircraft carrier. That's offensive to a 100,000-ton aircraft carrier that can make a 180-degree in a few minutes.
Bilas has been an outspoken critic of the NCAA for years, routinely butting heads with the organization and its member institutions over everything from academic support to corporate sponsorships to transfer. The former Duke star and current ESPN college basketball analyst and practicing lawyer continues to attack the NCAA's hypocrisy of amateur athletics.
“It’s business. This is pro sports. They can do whatever they want,” Bilas told The News & Observer. “I don’t have any problem with that at all, but don’t tell me this is not pro sports when you’re doing things like that. These athletes weren’t consulted about whether they wanted to be representing a beer company and they don’t get any benefit.”
He used Texas' partnership with Corona as an example, pointing to the multimillion-dollar deal that may generate funds for some student-athlete support but was signed without consulting student-athletes or giving them a direct cut of the revenue.
Bilas also discussed lack of consistency, particularly in the cases of transfers. Pittsburgh shooting guard Cameron Johnson announced his intention to transfer during the spring. The Panthers granted Johnson — who graduated in May — a release but with restrictions: He would not be immediately eligible if he transferred to an ACC school or another school on their future schedule. Johnson could transfer to North Carolina — as desired — but must sit out next season while paying his own tuition.
Pittsburgh was demolished for their selfish decision and finally gave in, allowing Johnson to transfer to North Carolina and become immediately eligible. The school could have stayed firm and refused Johnson's request.
Would the NCAA have stepped in? Nope.
“[The NCAA has] set up this Rube Goldberg-type system that is able to pivot about as quickly as an aircraft carrier can,” Bilas said, referencing the complex contraption of devices. “They’re always three steps behind, but that in a lot of ways is intentional that they’ve got this heavy bureaucratic system. …It’s a convenient excuse for them to say that we can’t change it.”
Bilas also discusses the NCAA preaching student-athlete welfare and countless calls he gets from student-athletes and coaches about NCAA horror stories. You can read the full article here.
