LeBron James: Is he the most powerful athlete in all of sports?
By Ronald Agers
The NCAA goes from LeBron James speaking out about the “Rich Paul Rule” to what? Politics?
The one argument that has lasted just as long as who is the greatest NBA player of all time is whether college athletes should be paid or be able to profit from endorsements. The days of “Scholarships should be enough!” is starting to become a thing of the past in California.
If the bill proposed in California is not blocked by the Governor in the next several days, it would allow collegiate athletes in the state to profit off endorsement deals. The exposure and support of LeBron James cannot be overstated.
Everyone is California- call your politicians and tell them to support SB 206! This law is a GAME CHANGER. College athletes can responsibly get paid for what they do and the billions they create.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 5, 2019
The Senate Bill 206, or SB 206 for short, prohibits schools in California from rescinding scholarships and/or eligibility from student-athletes who use their sport to get an endorsement deal to make their own money. Also, the bill allows athletes the option to hire an attorney or agent without losing their eligibility.
As of this writing, the bill is up for a California State Assembly vote after getting approved by the Senate. If the law passes, it will go into effect in January of 2023.
The NCAA can ban these schools from participating in the NCAA basketball tournament or the football playoffs, but at what cost?
LeBron James took to Twitter to defend Rich Paul and the NCAA criteria and the effects are still evident. The NBA agents are boycotting the exam on November 6th according to The Athletic’s Sham Charania.
Think of what could happen if the best potential college athletes decide to go to California schools and do not participate in major NCAA events. It will have long terms effects. Especially with the media support of LeBron James.
How much traction can 43.6 million followers bring to a subject? Well, it seems that Presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders decided to weigh in on the subject.
College athletes are workers. Pay them. https://t.co/PNEefTbS2O
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) September 6, 2019
This is about power folks. LeBron James and his people are getting more and more of it with each passing day. It seems that Rich Paul is making moves and is expanding his Klutch Sports business to the gridiron.