Syracuse Basketball: Jim Boeheim has no problem with players being paid

Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim is the recipient of a tremendous award, and he separately spoke on a variety of issues in collegiate hoops.

Jim Boeheim, the legendary head coach of the Syracuse basketball squad, is set to receive the 2019 Court of Honor Award from the National Association of Basketball Coaches Foundation at a gala in New York City on Tuesday, June 18, according to an announcement.

This honor bestowed upon Boeheim, who possesses the second-most victories in the history of Division I men’s basketball, is doled out “to individuals who have roots in college basketball, values those roots, and have gone on to distinguish themselves in their profession, exhibiting the highest standards of leadership,” says the press release.

First and foremost, a huge congratulations to Boeheim from myself and all of ‘Cuse Nation. The recognition is well-deserved, and we’re lucky to have witnessed you at the helm of the Orange for the past 43 seasons.

Sure, Boeheim’s remarkable streak of winning campaigns, his NCAA title in 2003, and those five Final Four appearances are groovy, but the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer is also a terrific supporter of the greater Syracuse community. Boeheim, as is widely documented, champions numerous charitable causes through the foundation that he created with his wife, Juli Boeheim.

Switching gears from this fabulous award, Jim Boeheim had some interesting things to say in an interview published by Syracuse.com that touched on a range of topics affecting college hoops. Boeheim, for one, says he has “no problem” if players were able to make money of their own likeness, and I adamantly agree with him.

"He added, “There are some issues. First, I don’t know how much money they’ll actually get. Somebody might give a guy like Tyus (Battle) 10-grand to do a commercial. I have no problem with that. But I don’t know how many jerseys they’d actually sell. And the other players might feel like ‘Why is he getting money?’ One problem you have is some school having a booster willing to pay a kid $50,000 just to get him to come there.”As far as the NCAA and its member institutions paying players directly, which is a controversial and dicey proposition, Boeheim explained: “The thing is 3,900 out of 4,000 college basketball players are very happy to have a scholarship. They’re happy. They’ve got a $70,000 scholarship and they’ve got money in their pocket. It’s the other hundred guys and they’re all going to make money playing basketball and the top guys are going to make a lot of money. In a perfect world, I have no problem with that and it’ll probably get in someday. But it’s already a lot better deal for student-athletes than people understand. Players get cost of attendance money, they’re taking their meal money because we give them meals and they’re getting $1,200 a month. If they need more, they can get a Pell Grant, they get another $600 a month. That’s $2,000 a month on top of a full scholarship.”"

I’m with Boeheim. The reality is that, down the road, I can foresee a scenario where the top guys get paid beyond the scholarships that they receive. Considering the boatload of money that head coaches make and that the sport generates as a whole, a big part of me feels like these premier players are getting the raw deal. And they absolutely should have the opportunity to earn money from their own likeness. That’s a no brainer, in my humble opinion.

Boeheim also noted in the Syracuse.com story that he thinks the NCAA is not yet ready for a change to the NBA’s 1-and-done rule, and he is “leaning toward” players who transfer being able to suit up immediately, “but the problem then is everybody will go right out the door.” Boeheim, as usual, is so articulate, and when he speaks, we should always listen.