Part 1
Money is not corrupting influence on today's top amateur athletes. Obviously, I am lying. This is the exact same thing that the NBA is doing when it argues that OJ Mayo should go to college to prepare himself for the NBA. There will always be another O.J. Mayo that is surrounded by agents and their affiliates from the time that they are recognized for their unique talents. These agents will attempt to lavish gifts and cash in order to establish a relationship with these athletes in the hopes of representing these athletes when they go pro. It is safe to say that the biggest factor in O.J. Mayo enrolling in college was e because of the rule changes enacted by the NBA that players must complete one year of college before declaring themselves eligible for the NBA draft. NBA basketball is a billion dollar business. NBA basketball players earn millions of dollars. Agents that represent NBA athletes can earn millions in fees from NBA contracts, licensing deals and endorsement contracts. Every NBA athlete may dream of being as marketable as Michael Jordan. Today, the NBA has two of its biggest and most marketable stars, Lebron James and Kobe Bryant as examples of athletes that did not attend college. O.J. Mayo may one day be
be among the most marketable NBA athletes and the controversy surrounding him whether or not he was paid or received gifts while he was an amateur will be a distant memory.
Many top amateur athletes face hard decisions. They are young and impressionable. Some NBA agents and their affiliates, which are commonly known as runners embark upon establishing their ties with the top athletes at the earliest age possible. In fact, some of these agents attempt to buy loyalty of these athletes by spending money on associates that are close to these athletes to influence them to select the agent as their representative. It is no secret that many of these elite basketball athletes are from single parent homes where their athletic talent is relied upon to save the entire family from future economic hardships. O.J. Mayo was aware that his family's hopes rested upon him. Undoubtedly, he would have never been embroiled in this controversy if not for the NBA rule change. Herein lies the problem. Athletes should be able to turn pro at the age of 18. However, parents must make smarter choices about who is associating with their children. Arguably, most agents put their self-interest over the goals and aspirations of the athlete. Many athletes will need to attend college to mature and improve their basketball skills. Yes, I believe that some college coaches understand that the education of the athlete is important and many young people need this support from coaches and educators.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
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