Is it because many of these universities are publicly funded that they are subject to so much of this? Otherwise, at what point does a grown up and remind everyone this is not indentured servitude. These are voluntary agreements by individuals to participate but also abide by the rules set forth by the institutions. The idea of challenging all the rules because of their constitutionality is absurd. I have the right to free speech, which means I can't be persecuted by the government for something I say. That doesn't mean in a private business I can say whatever I want with no repercussions, I just can't be arrested for it. I can be thrown out, refused service, etc by the business. By the way these people are acting now in 'challenging all the rules', what's to stop someone from playing basketball and just refusing to dribble because they want to challenge the rules?
At some point, we have to remember sports have rules, and usually for a good reason. Some of it is to maintain the integrity of the game, some to keep the spectators happy and engaged. But no matter what, there are rules and that is what speerates the different sports from eachother. Don't like the rules, start a new league that has different rules and see if it works. XFL has tried this numerous times with little success. If we just do away with all these rules, what's to stop a High School sophomore from declaring for the draft (aside from the fact no one would pick them)? Or stop Tom Brady from going back to HS to show them? Why can't Barry Bonds hit with a metal bat? Why can't sprinters roid to the tits? And not even going down the route of the boys in girls sports. There are so many slippery slopes here that are being absolutely taken advantage of. The NCAA is firmly to blame for sticking their head in the sand for so long, but at what point do we say stop?
My only solution I can come up with is that college athletics goes back to the way it was. No NIL, play for the school and a scholarship, transfers have to sit, etc, etc. Again, this is a voluntary arrangement. If you don't like this, and think you are good enough to come straight out of high school and play in the NFL and get paid, go for it. If you don't get picked or signed as an UFA, college is no longer an option. You can stay in shape, workout, try to bounce around practice squads and free agent opportunities in the league, but can't go back to college to play. And I think all leagues should do this. Baseball basically already does. Basketball has done variations through the years.
