Fact or Fiction: NLRB vs USC, Charlie Baker, Future of CFB

In today’s Fact or Fiction, I look at three big recent topics in college football and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.

1. The NLRB is short-sighted in filing for players to be employees.

Farrell’s take: FACT

Get ready, Charlie Baker (see below), as you’ll be dealing with this for a long time. In a nutshell, the National Labor Relations Board is pursuing action against USC, the PAC-12, and the NCAA to find college athletes as “employees”. Of course, this looks like a great thing for college kids, and, of course, I’m not a lawyer. But if this passes, then it ties conferences and the NCAA to employment status for athletes which means public and private (like USC) schools are impacted. So think of it as your company and how your salary structure and benefits work. Your employment status gives you many benefits and protections but also subjects you to taxes. And taxable benefits as well in some cases. The NLRB wants it all and won’t want any restrictions, but they are bound to occur. As many benefits as there are for employees, there are also many guardrails in place for employers. And beginning that kind of relationship is very dangerous when it comes to scholarship money and all the facilities and amenities provided for players. This won’t simply be a one-way win for student-athletes if it goes through, it will lead to a very combative relationship between universities and their student “employees”. It won’t go through but if it does this will get ugly.

Oct 1, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) is chased down by Arizona State Sun Devils defensive lineman B.J. Green II (35) as he runs for a first down in the second half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

2. Charlie Baker is the right fit for NCAA president.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

A standing governor for a sport that is rife with political issues seems smart right? Nah. A businessman is needed. He is a Harvard grad and ran Harvard Pilgrim Health so he’s a smart guy who has business acumen but I wanted a shark. I wanted a guy who absolutely understands what this college football product has become from a business standpoint. The NCAA won’t matter for much longer anyhow and this is a pointless hire in many ways but they would have had a swinging chance to survive with a former NFL president or someone from that business world.

Gov. Charlie Baker high fives Middleboro Little League Williamsport 12U All-Star Aaron Davis in Baker’s corner office at the State House on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

3. College football is headed towards an unrecognizable and unattractive product.

Farrell’s take: FACT

This is only going to get uglier. Every time I enjoy a good game or recruiting story I’m texting sources about UC Regents, NIL garbage, portal tampering, and now player employment. And it will just continue and continue until we have a product we no longer understand or enjoy. The NCAA got away with murder for years as players have no rights. And I’m all for student-athletes making money and moving freely. But with zero guardrails it’s untenable and there is no balance. We are headed toward the college football product losing value in the eyes of many fans who love and support it.