A reader called the other day with his plan to help balance the budget in Michigan and in all the financially ailing states across the country.
Mike from Sterling Heights suggested that funding for universities could be supplied, in part, by the pro athletes in each school’s alumni ranks, especially those who have become multi-millionaires. In turn, that windfall could plug some of the holes in the states’ budgets.
After all, Mike said, the National Football League is now a $9 billion-a-year industry that uses the universities as their farm club. And the National Basketball Association presents a similar tale of taking advantage of college basketball.
Mike’s idea, which isn’t unique, is to force all pro athletes to pay back their 4-year college scholarships, or at least a major percentage of those benefits. Maybe they should pay it back with interest, like the millions of kids who struggle to pay back six-figure student loans.
Of course, some might say that these athletes, who are pampered and publicly promoted while in school – all for the financial benefit of the university — should not be exploited a second time around.
