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Sad to say, but raise makes sense
Published Sunday, June 28, 2009
Even when layoffs and bankruptcies are all too common, the rich are still getting richer.
Alabama football coach Nick Saban reportedly will soon receive a contract extension and raise. That’s right, a raise. The same Nick Saban whose original contract at Alabama caused NCAA president Myles Brand to wonder, “Is this a proper approach within an academic context?”
Never mind that LSU last season gave coach Les Miles a deal that guarantees him $1,000 more than the highest paid coach in the Southeastern Conference, which is full of millionaires. Or that Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops stands in line to make more than $5 million a year under a new contract. Or that Florida president Bernie Machen has insisted his coach, Urban Meyer, should be the highest paid coach in the country.
All that has happened without anyone at the NCAA mustering a whimper.
As unjust as I, or anyone else, may think it is that football coaches make so much money when so many people are struggling just to get by, it is important to remember where the money comes from that Saban, Miles, Stoops, Meyer and so many other continue to rake in.
Of the $4 million or so that Saban makes each year, $225,000 is the base salary. The rest comes from “commercial activities,” or money tied to marketing. $225,000 is still a lot of money, but it’s at least comprehensible.
Football, we’re seeing once again, is big business whether we like it or not. Lots of people spend lots of money because they cheer for a certain team. And enough money is made on the sport that the people that control the purse strings are willing to pay out a whole lot to make sure a winning product is put on the field.
– Dawkins’ column appears each Wednesday and each Weekend. Read Dawkins’ sports-related blog at www.clantonadvertiser.com/weblogs/extra-points.
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Comments
Posted by Littlelady8451 (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
THIS IS ONE OVER PAYED JOB.WOW ALL THAT MONEY JUST TO STAND AND LOOK PRETTY.WHAT A WASTE!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And let's not forget that UA just approved at major tuition increase to offset a decrease in state funding due to the economy. All this at a time when boosters are pouring millions into Bryan-Denny stadium expansions and efforts to ensure that Nick Saban doesn't do what Nick Saban does best - chase the money.
You want to fix the system, force all booster money and donations to go to the University and NOT just the football program. Do the same for any revenue generated from the football (or any other sport) team to be used for the ENTIRE school, not just the football program. Allow these billion dollar industry programs to give back to the school and not just themselves. In a school like UA or AU - state funding would become irrelevant and arguments about coaching salary, stadium improvements would be just as irrelevant.
Posted by PrAaHe (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 7:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bammers have never really been big on education anyway, so it's not like it really matters.
Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Dadburn Cheatin' Bammers"
Posted by bamaboy07 (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its amazing how you auburn fans have nothing better to talk about other than what's going on in T-town!!! Get a LIFE!!!
Posted by blackwater (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Interesting idea REK. It seems like every year I hear about tuition increases, but the value of a college degree in this country steadily declines. A four-year degree in 2009 is like a union card in the 70s. It helps a little, but you haven't exactly acheived the American dream. Something needs to change.
Posted by PrAaHe (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dont worry bamaboy.
If CA had a story about Auburn, you better believe I'd be commenting on it, along with 2 dozen bammers. We're just returning the favor.
Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let the Games Begin.........
Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Take heart Auburn fans...one day you might get the same ROI (return on investment) we get...then again, maybe not. Roll Tide!
Posted by PrAaHe (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
just as long as we dont get the same LOI (Letter Of Intent) from the NCAA, I'm happy.
Posted by PrAaHe (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
love the new daily news email from the staff, btw
Posted by bamaboy07 (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
kwsrgraves im not even going to comment on you because i think it gives you personal satifaction when other people comment about your 2nd grade grammer
Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
PrAaHe...we just use those for toilet paper now. They vacate some wins for seasons which we won no Divison, SEC or national titles? Ow, that really hurts!
Seriously, though, the National Communists Against Athletes (thanks Brian Bosworth!) need to find a better way of handling such situations than punishing athletes and coaches who had little, if anything, to do with the infractions. In the vast majority of these cases those who "did the crime" are long gone from the affected college.
I like the email too. Thanks to whoever came up with the idea.
Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, I am aware I messed up in my post. It should have read "we won ONLY a Division, but no SEC or national titles". That is what I get for typing and not proofreading before posting...
Posted by bamaboy07 (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Your the one who keeps talking about a "scared cow" your are just like all of the other looser auburn fans that live their precious life in denile! You may every one and a while have a postive comment about a subject that is posted to this website. You and some of the others attack the story like a kid in candy store! Go back and read all of your post. They never make sense! You probably sit all day thinking of what your going to post. Oh yeah ROOOOOLL TIDE you loser!
Posted by gkeys (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 9:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think my favorite part is that you are in “denile”….sounds like you are floating down a river ;-)
Posted by bamaboy07 (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My mother is dead!! So thanks a lot
Posted by bamaboy07 (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh yeah I didn't realize that you through my father in the mix as well. He is dead as well. You’re an embarrassment to society! Go back to school if you’re going to bring someone’s family into something.
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