Why are there any rules then?It's odd to me to be advocating for taking choice away from the players while simultaneously claiming it's for their benefit. They're adults. They can decide. Free market and all.
It's freaking college where academics should matter a little. Shouldn't they?
By your logic if a kid is failing he can keep playing ball then too. Should be no reason why a kid can ever be academically ineligible. Right? I mean, why even go to class? Give them the freedom to do what they want.
I can't believe some don't get it that the longterm impact on the avg kid is really bad. So a kid gets a few bucks hopping from school to school. In some cases they could be hurt if another kid transfers in and takes his $$. In the end though the kid who went to 3 or 4 schools, doesn't graduate, got minimal money maybe $100k total over 4 yrs, then ends up in a low paying job somewhere after pissing his money away.
You guys are focusing on the big time guys who rake in big bucks and then become professionals. Thats like 1 or 2%.
At the very least, when a kid signs his NIL agreement, they should have a 2 yr commitment from both the school and the student athlete. That will limit the school hopping and give them a better chance of actually graduating.
You guys say they should be free to do what they want. Well, they are free to not go to college. Do something else. It's a free country. However if you are entering into an collegiate association like the NCAA, then their needs to be guardrails that make academics somewhat important.