The impressive financial gymnastics Taylor Jacobs, who oversees name, image and likeness, and her team executed to enable LSU to be financially competitive in paying their athletes to play gives a literal definition to winning at all costs.
There are liabilities associated with pay to play that should be considered. Amateurism in college and high school sports no longer exists. Excelling at sports used to be about fulling a dream to be the best through hard work and sacrifice and to experience the sheer joy of accomplishment. Now, competing is complicated by a paycheck.
Have college athletes become mercenaries playing for the highest bidder? The money has become preeminent in discussions with players and has irrevocably changed players' relationships with coaches and their teams. Forget about mentorship and team loyalty, just show me the money.
LSU athletes are professionals by definition. They are contract workers but could become employees if they are allowed to collectively bargain. How will that work?
Wining is a good thing except when the costs are too high.
JIM ROBERTS
St. George
English (US) ·