College Sports on the Brink of Disaster: The Rise of Pay-for-Play and the Fall of the Scholar-Athlete

The authors tell a compelling story about the rise in popularity of college athletics, with great emphasis on recent trends including NIL, and its effects on people and society. They provide detailed history of people who’ve played the games including those in non revenue generating programs and who continue to work to change society, the sports, and the college system for the better. A history of the growth of college athletics is provided, especially football which includes an especially interesting manifestation of rules of the game. The book will educate, enlighten and entertain.

This book is an important bulwark against the increasing commercialization of college sports. The authors provide historical and more recent examples of how college sports - especially football and basketball - have gotten so wrapped up in the pursuit of money that academics get less attention. They aptly point out that students’ college fees for academics partly support the money machine, including fancy stadiums and coaches’ million-dollar salaries. I would have liked to see more detail, for example, how much these fees have risen in recent years and how they’ve contributed to the trillions on college debt that American students struggle to pay off. For example, I only went to a handful of college games, but had to pay the fees every year.

I salute the authors on several levels: (a) The research is thorough and top-notch; (b) The subject matter deserves the kind of deep commitment the authors made to it; (c) It not only dissects the problem, but also provides viable solutions and next steps; (d) And last but not least, it is so reader friendly and such a joy toread. I know college sports enthusiasts and just casual fans will benefit immensely from reading this book. Do yourself a favor and get a copy and read it right away.

Great insight to understanding the demise of college sports and the one and done mentality. Wanting to pay college athletes instead of them focusing on their academic careers. This was an easy to read with great information that will make you think.

John LeBar and Paul Allen nail the crises today in big-time college athletics. We will not recognize the structure of major college sport within 2-5 years. The current trend cannot sustain itself. The authors so adeptly point out that college sport is first and foremost for the athlete himself/herself, NOT the spectators. Television has fueled the rise of expenses from salaries to the facility improvement arms race to transferring with no restrictions to another school for a better financial offer to flat-out paying our athletes. This IS a big-business at not-for-profit institutions and athletes are quickly becoming employees. Tax exemptions are threatened and the public will be turned off! Hold on and buckle up - the ride is only beginning. Thank you, John and Allen, for giving us fair warning and reminding us of how and to what extent this has gotten out of controls.

From my teenage years till today, living in the epicenter of college sports - the Research Triangle area of NC. I have witnessed it all. Mr. Paul did a good job of getting his arms around the subject and explaining it with facts and comments from sports enthusiasts, experts and stars.

Powerful story of the challenges faced in college sports; and the impacts to both scholar-athletes and the higher education institutions they choose to attend; or are recruited too. The Authors weave a truly informative history of the commercialization of NCAA sports, the damaging impacts to all involved, and then provide recommended solutions on how the sinking ship can be righted, before its too late. A must-read for every college or university president, chancellor, their board of directors and athletic coaches across every sport….and alumni who truly care about the reputations of their alma mater.

An excellent guide to understanding the corrupting influence of money in college sports and their uncertain future. Helpful to someone like myself who doesn't follow college sports but realizes how important they are.Gerry