The debate over how to address the issue of players opting out of bowl games has intensified, with various figures in college football suggesting solutions. A common theme among the proposed fixes is compensating players for their participation in bowl games. The NCAA's long-standing commitment to amateurism has been challenged by this discourse. Kirby Smart, among others, has acknowledged the problem with the current bowl season, and Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic has outlined five potential solutions to reform the postseason and reduce opt-outs. These include direct payments to players and eliminating conference affiliations. The issue has also raised questions about the obligations of players who are receiving payment for their name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, particularly at programs like FSU, as fans and boosters feel shortchanged when players do not participate in bowl games.
Want to reduce college football Bowl opt-outs? Pay the players https://t.co/UUo7QiiK8J
If college football opt-outs at #FSU and other programs are getting paid to play college football then why aren't they required to play in bowl games? Fans and boosters who are paying for NIL deals are getting ripped off! Click on photo to read my column: https://t.co/IzW7uCHMVG
Bowl games should be fun. Not flashpoints for debate. @NicoleAuerbach has five ideas to fix Bowl season and prevent opt-outs, including paying players directly and getting rid of conference affiliations ⤵️ https://t.co/KT5FqOp0cy https://t.co/a489KkBZ9p
College football can't move the transfer portal window because players need to be able to enroll at their new school in January. But here are five realistic ways CFB can fix bowl season and prevent opt-outs: https://t.co/lLKXskVjv4
"They need to fix this." As Kirby Smart pointed out last night, bowl season has problems. And I have solutions! Here are five ways to actually fix college football's postseason and prevent opt-outs: https://t.co/lLKXskVjv4
The way to fix bowl game opt outs is to pay the players. Ironic given how much the NCAA and its members fought to preserve amateurism. https://t.co/bmdQkdG2BR