5 Ways The NCAA Is Similar To Pro Wrestling
By Joe Nardone
Not Paying Players Is a Handicap Match
Sep 21, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Donovan Riley (2) celebrates scoring the game winning touchdown during over against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
So, some folks want to pay players and others do not. Guess what?
Fine. It matters what you think. Well, at least to me. I mean, we are friends, right? Right? Eh, I digress….
Listen, no matter which side you fall on during the “pay to play” debate, it is pretty obvious the student-athletes are going to have a hard time winning this battle without some outside interference. Players don’t have a union, are powerless and are pretty much at the disposal of universities and the NCAA as they see fit. Much in the same way wrestling promoters will pit a good guy or two against a slew of bad guys just to make a few extra bones.
I’m talking about situations where a good guy wrestler might have to face three bad guys at once. The good guy never stands a chance — well, until he does. Either way, the NCAA is the bad guy faction here. They have everything going in their favor, but somehow, with everyone pulling for the kids, the student-athletes getting paid seems like a matter of time at this point.