An FBI probe reignited the debate over whether collegiate basketball players should be compensated. But Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman has one suggestion that could fix the issue: let top athletes go to the NBA straight out of high school.
“I think that if these top players can start earning those big dollars more quickly, that would be an instant correction,” she said Wednesday. “And that would help, as well, in the kinds of issues that were surfaced in this criminal investigation.”
Her argument echoes the sentiment of ACC Commissioner John Swofford, who on Tuesday told Cheddar there should not be a pay-for-play system in college sports.
The statements come as the federal government investigates recruiting agents and more than 20 Division I schools for giving players under-the-table bonuses or other perks, violating NCAA rules.
Some say that the NCAA, which generated more than $1 billion in revenue in the year ending in [August 31, 2017](http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/2016-17NCAAFin_FinancialStatement_20180129.pdf), should pay student athletes. But Ackerman told Cheddar that players get other kinds of compensation.
“I was a student athlete at the University of Virginia. I got my education paid for, we didn’t make any money,” she said. “There’s a quid pro quo that I don’t think gets talked about enough.”
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/the-big-east-tournament-returns-to-madison-square-garden).
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The Baltimore Ravens are rolling the dice on a new partnership with Horseshoe Casino. The agreement will allow Horseshoe to use team trademarks and logos; the casino plans to eventually build a new Ravens-themed bar on site. The real opportunity, however, will present itself if the state of Maryland decides to legalize sports betting, the NFL team's Senior VP of corporate sales, Kevin Rochlitz, said Wednesday in an interview with Cheddar.
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Two brothers-turned-co-founders are using their Wall Street and athletic experience to make lacrosse a mainstream sport ー with its own league, season, venues, and even exclusive TV deals. Paul Rabil, a professional player with Major League Lacrosse, and his brother Mike founded the Premier Lacrosse League based on their shared love of a sport that has long been associated with Northeastern prep schools and Ivy League "bro" culture.
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Sean Pate, brand communications officer for Zenni Optical, and Matt Kobe, VP of business and analytics for the Chicago Bulls, spoke with Cheddar about why the new partnership was a perfect fit.
Peloton, the stationary bike maker with a cult-like following, has launched Tread ー an all-in-one treadmill and bootcamp experience. CEO John Foley said you can now get a full-body workout at home.
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