The transfer portal. I wish I had never heard those words – likely to be the demise of college athletics as we once knew and loved. The transfer portal means an athlete has no allegiance to the college that accepted him and gave him a four-year scholarship, plus a stipend to play there. Now, if a wide receiver at State University doesn’t think the quarterback threw his way often enough, he enters the transfer portal and plays where the grass may be greener – greener as in more money. Not so long ago, Southern Methodist was basically kicked out of the NCAA (the Death Penalty) for slipping some players a few bucks. There is no mystery behind the money now – it flows freely. I understand that Archie Manning’s son gets about 1 million a year to play second string QB for Texas.
I won’t be surprised if in a few years, a player might get upset at his coach, and suit up for the other team at half-time or maybe after the first TV timeout.
It is totally out of control. The future of college athletics now looks like the schools with strongest booster clubs will absolutely dominate. Thery will simply outbid other schools to attract the top athletes. In 5 years, it will be the top 10 or 12 colleges (with the most money to dole out) versus all the others. It will be the NFL Light.
But consider this, Mr. College President. The Carolina Panthers were so bad this year that they couldn’t give away tickets. When your team gets consistently trounced, fans stop coming to your games, alumni lose interest, and the million dollars grants to the Arts Department will go away. As TV ratings for the secondary schools plummet, the money well will run dry, as your once generous alumni enter the transfer portal.