Sunday, August 10, 2014

Academics vs Athletics and the case of Prime Prep Academy

Texas based Prime Prep Academy, founded in part by former Cowboys player and 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Deion Sanders, may be the subject of the age old battle of academics vs athletics.  And so far neither side seems to want to budge on the flailing charter school's list of academic and financial woes.

According to an article in today's New York Times, at the heart of the school's problems is Sanders himself.  Did Deion "Prime Time" Sanders create an atmosphere where athletics and ego were placed at the top of the pinnacle?

The school's charter is being revoked by the Texas Education Agency for accusations surrounding their participation and use of funds in the school lunch program.  According to the Dallas News, at issue are the alleged misuse of almost $46,000 in funds.  The article also notes that Prime Prep is appealing the agency's efforts to revoke their charter.  One recent victory in favor of Prime Prep reported in the article is the ruling by U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn where the judge agreed with Prime Prep's attorney that the school was not properly served with the lawsuit.  While this ruling buys some time for the school to address the revocation, it will still need to meet certain criteria and pay back the funds to reinstate itself in the school lunch program according to sources.

Deion Sanders has been a marketing master post pro football career, and with his acquisition of corporate spokesperson contracts, sports analyst positions and reality television successes he has continued his star power persona.  Was this school an extension of that star power for a state like Texas where football is larger than life?  Former school employees and a school board member who were quoted in the New York Times article seem to indicate Sanders, who was fired twice from the school, was creating a recruiting powerhouse from Prime Prep and its athletes, caring little about their grades or any emphasis on placing education above that of sports accolades.

The school's website whose motto is "Aspire, Inspire, Succeed" seems to place a great deal of emphasis on academics by stating it is "the place where students come first".  As the investigation furthers from both media and the TEA, perhaps the answer will emerge as to whether the school administration and its founders were working towards "first" in academics or athletics. 


Saturday, August 9, 2014

NCAA court ruling says pay up, but how much?

For many the question of whether student athletes should receive any type of compensation was answered by the courts this week, when Federal Judge Claudia Wilken ruled against the NCAA in the antitrust case of Ed O'Bannon.

The traditional model for college players has been compensation limited to scholarships and education.  With Friday's historic ruling, the doors for compensation opened, but not without its own set of rules and regulations.  O'Bannon, a former UCLA basketball star player, along with 19 others had filed the lawsuit based on antitrust law violations for use of their likeness.  The lawsuit focused on television broadcasts and video games, and the associated revenues generated from their names.

In her introduction Judge Wilken ruled against the NCAA, and also video game company Electronic Arts, where she stated the following:

"Competition takes many forms.  Although this case raises questions about athletic competition on the football field and the basketball court, it is principally about the rules governing competition in a different arena -- namely, the marketplace."

The Sherman Antitrust Act passed in 1890 is based primarily on competition and was a strong argument in the case, kind of ironic when you think about the NCAA's basis for not compensating student athletes to keep competition fair.  This law deals with conduct that by its very nature is interpreted to destroy competition.  While monopolies play a role, the Sherman Antitrust Act does not impeded fair monopolies that arise out of competition, so long as that competition is based on the merits of success.

While the ruling set limits of $5,000 compensation per year per player for larger schools, and creates a payout that will be held in a trust to be paid after the player leaves the NCAA, many fear this will change the face of college football.  A subsequent injunction is forthcoming from Judge Wilken and will further define the outcome of this case.

Bobbleheads and jerseys were not included in the licensing revenues, but does this open the door for other challenges on market based items?  At the very least it represents a huge hit to the NCAA, which as an organization has been widely criticized in recent years for their practices.  It will be interesting to watch what happens going forward as the playing field levels and the conferences consider their choices.  The NCAA is a multi-billion dollar industry who now must share at least some of the wealth with its players.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Dolphins Hire Dennis Hickey as GM

Photo courtesy of Boris Balaban
In offseason reports the Miami Dolphins have hired Dennis Hickey as their General Manager.  Hickey, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers director of player personnel, was offered a second interview this past week.

Nick Caserio director of player personnel with the New England Patriots had been extended a second interview, but passed on the position.

Brian Gaine, the Dolphins assistant general manager, and Lake Dawson, the Titans VP of player personnel were also on the short list of candidates for owner Stephen Ross.

Speculation was high yesterday that Caserio would be the choice, but he along with Dawson reportedly did not see their future in Miami.

Now the real job begins of finding talent to fill the roster for the Dolphins who finished 8-8 in the 2013 season.  A good start would be an offense that protects QB Ryan Tannehill who was sacked 58 times this past season.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Manziel rings in the New Year with a Winning Performance

Photo:  Joe Robbins, Getty Images

The Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, GA was the site for a fairytale ending to 2013 college football play as Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel and his team pulled off a 21-point comeback for the Aggies.

Proving once again he is a fierce competitor, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner threw for 382 yards and completed 30-38 passes to lead the Aggies to defeat Duke 52-4.

In a game where the momentum was clearly not in their favor at the half, Manziel emerged from the locker room to hit target after target in the second half.  He missed only once in the second half and threw for 4 touchdowns in the game.

The 6-1, 210 pound, redshirt sophomore shrugged off reporters about his future at Texas A&M and the possibility of his move to the NFL next season.  If a guy could go out on top in his college career, then last night was his moment.  SEC fans will have to wait and see if he returns for yet another season, but "Johnny Football" who had a rocky start to this season proved the pundits wrong last night.