The Jenkins v. NCAA case centers itself on the hot-button issue of compensating student-athletes for their participation. Early on in the complaint, Jenkins brings up the point that these athletes, such as UTEP’s Kevin Perry, have their remunerations restrained by “artificial restraints” that are dependent on the athletes’ school of choice. What’s not restrained, however, is the financial benefits these particular universities or schools see as a result of the athlete’s play on the court or field. The argument is that these players have essentially signed on to “cartel agreements” and therefore violate antitrust laws.
I think it’s important to also remember that it’s not just football players involved in this case, as Rutgers basketball player J.J. Moore is also named as a party involved.
Potential story ideas
- A look at how much the schools of the specific players mentioned in this complaint made from their respective sport
- Catching up with those involved in Northwestern’s attempt to unionize. What would they have done differently? Do they foresee any change that will allow a team to successfully unionize?
- A profile on a current athlete such as Perry and Moore that features a log of their hours during a typical week in a season. How much time is left for the academic aspect of their lives?
- In basketball, how many athletes would forego college basketball if the NBA allowed? How many athletes in that situation cite financial concerns as a major motivating factor?