THE COUCH SLOUCH

Fair pay to play act for college athletes might be the right thing, but at what cost?

Fair pay to play act for college athletes might be the right thing, but at what cost?
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Mark Emmert, NCAA

In the rush to celebrate California Gov. Gavin Newsom signing the Fair Pay to Play Act into law – allowing college athletes in the state to finally get compensated for endorsements and the like, starting in 2023 – most pundits are failing to realize this is not as wonderful as it seems.

Everybody is treating this broadside against the hypocritical, dictatorial NCAA as the greatest thing since sliced bread.

(To be honest, I never understood why sliced bread was considered that big of a breakthrough. What's so hard about buying a loaf of bread and then slicing it at home? Heck, the knife was a big deal, and, frankly, the spork – half spoon, half fork – was ingenius.)*

(* It's amazing how often I get off track, among the many reasons I am not ever taken seriously for Pulitzer, Peabody or Nobel award consideration.)

Sure, it's always a good day when the big, bad NCAA is leveled. What do we know about the NCAA? It acts as if it's the fourth branch of government, accountable to no one except its accountants, and it has really, really nice offices in Indianapolis near Interstate 70.

The NCAA, naturally, strongly opposed this new law; it was also opposed to indoor plumbing and freeway exits.

The NCAA position on this California development – college athletes will be able to endorse products, host sports camps, sign memorabilia or autographs for money, attach their names to video games, et al – is best reflected by the response of the Pac-12 conference: "This legislation will lead to the professionalization of college sports."

Oh, please. Everything about Division 1 football and men's basketball is professional, with the sole exception that its labor force is unpaid and Dick Vitale never stops shouting.

Indeed, I would sum up the NCAA's modus operandi as the following:

The rich get richer and everyone else eats ramen.

Technically, the Fair Pay to Play Act is progress. In the old days, a school might sell a prospect on the quality of its football program, the quality of its education, the quality of the region, etc. Now, a school might woo a prospect with all of that plus the possibility of, say, a local Chevy dealer who is willing to pay a lot for a business relationship with the starting quarterback.

Yes, this is the free market at work. But it's not as free-and-simple as that.

California often is a punch line and often is a pacesetter. In this case, it's both.

Is it possible to take a step in the right direction and the wrong direction at the same time?

(Note: I ask myself that every time I walk down the matrimonial aisle.)

We are casting an erroneous wide net in seeking to solve our college athletics problem.

By the way – and I promise this is the last tangential interruption – why are Newsom and the California state legislature even treading in these waters? I can think of 400, maybe 405 more pressing issues at the moment in the sometimes not-so-Golden State in which I live.

So, why wouldn't colleges align themselves with companies and local retailers who can assure large payments for the best athletes? Why wouldn't third parties – boosters – engage in licit and illicit behavior to pave the yellow brick road for the home team? Wouldn't some high schools start down this path to bring in better athletic talent?

A student-athlete certainly should have the right to assess his or her best deal financially, but I again return to a basic premise:

Why are institutions of higher education trafficking in these areas?

As always, I lean on former University of Chicago president Robert Maynard Hutchins for wisdom: "A student can win twelve letters at a university without learning to write one."

Besides the fact that we are creating another level of potential impropriety and corruption, where exactly in the mission statement for most universities is the part about running sporting events for profit?

This entire unholy business stands as a complete incongruity to a university's raison d'être. What, you don't comprehend raison d'être? That's because you went to a school that prioritized basketball over books and you've spent every autumn Saturday since 1993 watching "College GameDay."

Let me wrap it up this week with my favorite antiquated, oldie-but-goodie sentiment:

Build more libraries, not stadiums.

Ask The Slouch

Q. When somebody tells somebody else "you can't hold my jockstrap," what does that mean? (Nathan Margolis; Albany, N.Y.)

A. I guess you've never tried to hold somebody else's jockstrap.

Q. New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis wears a "Man of God" headband. What would your headband read? (Brian Coffman; Gaithersburg, Md.)

A. "Best by 12-17-96."

Q. I do not understand the crux of this NBA-China dustup. Do you? (Scott Ayres; Houston)

A. I don't either, but I love the word "crux."

Q. Is Dan Snyder the Peter Angelos of the NFL or is Peter Angelos the Dan Snyder of MLB? (Mary Lafsky; Great Falls, Va.)

A. Pay the lady, Shirley.

You, too, can enter the $1.25 Ask The Slouch Cash Giveaway. Just email asktheslouch@aol.com and, if your question is used, you win $1.25 in cash!



Ask The Slouch

Q. When somebody tells somebody else "you can't hold my jockstrap," what does that mean? (Nathan Margolis; Albany, N.Y.)

A. I guess you've never tried to hold somebody else's jockstrap.

Q. New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis wears a "Man of God" headband. What would your headband read? (Brian Coffman; Gaithersburg, Md.)

A. "Best by 12-17-96."

Q. I do not understand the crux of this NBA-China dustup. Do you? (Scott Ayres; Houston)

A. I don't either, but I love the word "crux."

Q. Is Dan Snyder the Peter Angelos of the NFL or is Peter Angelos the Dan Snyder of MLB? (Mary Lafsky; Great Falls, Va.)

A. Pay the lady, Shirley.

You, too, can enter the $1.25 Ask The Slouch Cash Giveaway. Just email asktheslouch@aol.com and, if your question is used, you win $1.25 in cash!

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The Astros host the A's Friday night. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros will look to even their series against the Oakland Athletics on Friday night at Minute Maid Park after a rare misstep at home in Thursday’s opener.

Despite the 5-2 loss, Houston (60-43) remains firmly in first place in the AL West and continues to be one of the league’s toughest teams at home, entering Friday with a 33-20 record at Minute Maid. The Astros also boast a 40-19 mark in games where they collect at least eight hits — a number they'll be aiming for as they try to generate more consistent offense.

Rookie right-hander Ryan Gusto (6-3, 4.46 ERA) gets the ball for Houston in what will be his 15th start of the season. Gusto has had his ups and downs but continues to show promise, posting 77 strikeouts over 80.2 innings. He’ll be looking for a bounce-back performance after a shaky outing last weekend.

Oakland counters with left-hander Jeffrey Springs (8-7, 4.34 ERA), who’s put together a solid but inconsistent season. The A’s (43-62) sit at the bottom of the AL West but have shown they can hang with Houston — they’ve now won four of the seven meetings between the two clubs this season.

The Astros will again count on Christian Walker, who leads the team in RBIs and continues to provide steady middle-of-the-order production. Rookie Brice Matthews has also turned heads with three homers in his last 10 games, showing flashes of the power and athleticism that earned him a call-up.

Oakland’s offense, meanwhile, is anchored by Tyler Soderstrom (18 HR) and surging rookie Nick Kurtz, who is hitting an eye-popping .500 (19-for-38) with nine doubles, a triple, and four homers in his last 10 games.

Both teams are coming in with similar recent form — Houston is 5-5 over its last 10, with a team ERA of 3.81, while Oakland is 4-6 with a 4.34 ERA in that same span.

Friday marks the eighth meeting of the year between the division rivals, with Houston holding a narrow 4-3 edge in the season series. According to BetMGM, the Astros enter as -159 favorites, with the over/under set at 8 runs.

With the trade deadline looming and a tight divisional race unfolding, every game matters — and for Houston, bouncing back Friday night could help restore momentum as they push toward the stretch run.

Injuries

Starting pitcher Brandon Walter heads to the 15-day IL with left elbow inflammation. RHP Nick Hernandez has been recalled.

 

Game 2 starting lineup

 

What stands out? Cam Smith is back in the leadoff spot, with Jose Altuve in the two-hole and playing second base. Victor Caratini will serve as the DH and hit third, followed by Christian Walker (1B), Yainer Diaz (C), and Cooper Hummell (LF). Mauricio Dubon will hit seventh and play third base, with Chas McCormick patrolling center field, and Zack Short hitting ninth and playing shortstop.

___________________________

*ChatGPT assisted.

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