🏀 KuBuckets Archive

How can we be in the wake of an FBI investigation into shoe companies' unethical influence in amateur basketball, and a month later, have a tournament held exclusively for Nike schools named after the still living co-founder of Nike as he sits court side? This is so absolutely out in the sunshine and corrupt, I have a hard time processing it. Please someone slap me and tell me I'm wrong.

Read Calipari's quote at the end of explaining why Kentucky isn't in it : "How many of those events have we played in since I’ve been here? And if I was gonna play in one, it would’ve been for Phil Knight. I want you to hear what I’m saying. The only reason I would’ve played in that event was if Phil Knight told me, ‘You have to play in this event.’ And he did not say that.”

Just like any other tournament, they can invite any team they want. The NCAA does not seem to have a problem with it. One of the benefits of being a Nike program; maybe Adidas will sponsor one in the future.

@approxinfinity

It nauseates with the appearance of private capture of public entities.

The implication depresses.

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Well hell I suppose I could slap you if that's what you want lmao, but I can't necessarily say your wrong lol. -- just messin with ya a little. - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@approxinfinity I agree, I think it's kinda funny and sad at the same. IMO the rule book needs changed all the way down the line to the way AAU teams operate.

This whole shoe business has really reached a point, that it can't just be denied anymore. In fact I'm starting to think KU's next recruiting class is more about the shoe companies making a slight of hand move. To create a perception that hey look at KU an Addidas school with all them studs. Cover up the scent if you will. Noticed how all the big studs moved to Duke, away form UK? Why is that?

If you want to talk about malfeasance, how about the contract KU signed with Time Warner Metro Sports that essentially tries to force fans to use them (or providers that subscribe to the channels) as your provider and blacks out the entire state for a bunch of games and in many sports, such as women's volleyball, the entire season? This should be sufficient for a fire for cause dismissal of Zenger.

@DoubleDD Coach Williams - - Coach K - -& Coach Boeheim actually said that believe it or not actually that the show companies are really good for NACC Schools/Basketball, saying they do a lot of good. Was a pretty interesting discussion with these 3. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

The shoe companies do one significant thing for college athletics - they make it so that a good portion of the funding for athletics does not have to come from the university. That's huge when you think about offering sports that don't generate gate and tv revenue (basically anything other than football and men's hoops at most schools). The shoe contract pays for uniforms and equipment for all programs in most cases, meaning the diving team is equipped with everything they need for free.

I don't agree with everything they do, but knowing how the numbers work in most athletic departments, shoe money helps keep a lot of non-revenue sports around and sustainable.

Right now, because the pro leagues aren't involved at the lower levels, the shoe companies create a lot of the framework. The only way to change that is for the pros to get involved and create the framework and rules, or let the shoe/apparel companies take over and do their thing.

@justanotherfan Diving team just needs some Speedos and some towels. We need a hockey team or an equestrian team to really get our equipment payola's worth!

Imagine how quickly the Chancellors would have counsel find a way to end minor sports if the petroshoecos pulled out.

Yesterday!

They would lobby the Fed’s and that would be that.

I would gladly give up the minor sports to get the petroshoecos and their summer game teams out of control of where recruits have to go.

I detest what the petroshoeco capture of college ball has done.

March Carney.

Apparent Tournament engineering with whistle asymmetry and biased seeding.

The same 4-6 schools with the best shot EFY.

It is all so contrived.

Endless rule changes aimed not at improving the game but at making sure the OADs get their hype.

D1 is captured by a shoe oligopoly.

It’s run like a car business, not a sport.

4-6 teams.

The rest are irrelevant.