J.J. Watt pushes NCAA to admit college sports is a business
- J.J. Watt highlighted the financial aspects of college sports, questioning the NCAA's designation of athletes as students first.
- He pointed out the harsh realities faced by many college athletes who do not benefit financially despite the pressures of collegiate sports.
- Watt called for the NCAA to recognize and operate collegiate athletics as the business it has become.
In recent months, former NFL star J.J. Watt has publicly criticized the NCAA for its stance on collegiate athletics, particularly the organization's insistence on labeling athletes primarily as students. Watt's remarks came in a post on social media platform X, where he highlighted the increasing financial factors surrounding college sports, including the advent of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, the transfer portal, and the extensive travel required for athletes. He suggested that the NCAA should cease to promote the notion of 'student first, athlete second,' ultimately declaring that education is no longer the priority in the current landscape of college athletics. Instead, he positions these sports as a burgeoning business needing appropriate recognition and management. He also pointed out that while upper-tier collegiate athletes can profit from their names and likenesses, many others are still subjected to the rigors of travel and competition with little to no financial reward, which detracts from their educational objectives. Watt echoed sentiments previously affirmed by figures like former Alabama coach Nick Saban, who lamented the loss of the traditional 'student-athlete' concept. Saban expressed concerns over the potential instability in college football due to players changing teams frequently, which could alienate fans and disrupt the natural development of collegiate teams. This sentiment reflects a broader and growing acknowledgment within the college athletics community about the need for reform and regulation in this rapidly evolving environment.