View From The Bridge

$1.1 Billion.  This is the total profit that the NCAA generated in 2019 - 79% of it coming from March Madness TV rights alone ($857.5 million). So, where does this money go? Well, other than salaries for NCAA employees, it's mostly divided up between coaching salaries and university student finance support. The athletes themselves? They never even see a dime.  As a multi-billion dollar industry, you would think that the NCAA could at least financially recognise the players that make their business so successful. However, as every Division 1 athlete knows, making money under the noses of the NCAA is a surefire way to get you kicked off that scholarship you worked so hard for. However, considering this is one of the most disputed and controversial topics in modern sport, let's weigh up the pros and cons.  Right now, NCAA players generate no financial income from competing in college basketball. This includes receiving money for playing, funding for training, accepting prize...

Welcome to Saturday's Sporting Icon!  Every Saturday, this page will showcase some of history's most unappreciated sports superstars. From the winding streets of Monaco to the NBA hardcourt, I think it's time to shed some light on the greatness of some of the world's least treasured icons. Saturday 27th February - Len Bias  Since 1984, the world has searched for the next Michael Jordan. Some thought it was Kobe. Others think it's LeBron James. However, those who were around in 1984, only had to wait a mere 2 years to see the next best thing. Len Bias was a bigger and arguably more skilled version of Michael Jordan, with incredible athleticism at 6'8" and a shooters touch from inside 13 feet. Throughout his 4 years at Maryland University, he dominated college basketball and quickly became one of the most exciting prospects for the 1986 NBA Draft. However, in a tragic switch of fate, Len Bias soon became one of the biggest "what-if's" in basketb...

Reaching the NBA is tough. In fact, ‘tough’ couldn’t be more of an understatement. It’s almost statistically impossible. When Adam Silver steps up on the podium on draft night, only 60 athletes from around the world will be selected for an NBA roster. This means over 4000 eligible college athletes must watch their NBA career crash and burn in front of them and what remains only provides two options, Europe or the G-League.     Now I think we can all agree, neither of these options comes anywhere close to the exposure and stardom that the NBA provides. In fact, even of the 60 selected players, only 3-4 will go on to have long successful professional careers. Others will either spend their career as the backup’s backup due to lack of physicality or will try and break the record for the most high-fives in a single season (currently held by Jared Dudley). With little opportunity to prove themselves and frustration building, it’s easy to see why college players often move on. But t...