$700K instead of college classes?

[Jumper_Dad]

California group proposes semi-pro league in Vegas to lure nation's top talent | NCAA Basketball | Sporting News

 

“College is not for every young man that is trying to use basketball to provide a better situation for their families,” Brown says.

 

“Our innovative model targets the McDonald’s All-Americans who are projected first round prospects by NBA scouts and general managers. This concept allows for the highly touted player to bypass college and immediately become a paid professional. We are able to offer competitive salaries averaging around $700k to the highly touted McDonald’s All-Americans who are typically 'one-and-done' players and $400k for college underclassmen. The Dealers niche will be based on giving basketball players a different option than what is presently offered in America. Before this, underclassmen had to either play college ball or go overseas. Venturing to Europe will not be a necessity when a U.S. based organization will play top European teams.”

 

Brown says the 2015-16 season will be an inaugural one for the Dealers, and that the management group has already reached out to some McDonald's All-American players with offers.

 

“We don’t see any problems in landing the right kids. Now, I’m not going to say we’ll have 10 of the top 25 kids this year, but I’m going to go on record as saying we’re going to have five,” Brown told Fox 5 News last week.

 

Of the 24 players on the 2015 McDonald's All-American roster, however, only one remains uncommitted — Caleb Swanigan, who re-opened his recruitment last week. It seems unlikely that, even with a hefty sum of money, the Dealers would be able to poach any of the top players who haven't yet signed a Letter of Intent.

 

So if the top High School All-Americans have an option of $700K instead of Freshman English, how many take it?

 

Is this the beginning of a major shift in college basketball?

Does paying 10-12 players $700K per year work as a business model? (will they sell enough tickets to recoup their money) I read in another story that they'd play Euro teams (30+ games in Vegas) and tour Europe for 15 games or so.

[TTS_JF]

I read this earlier very interesting scenario... I don't see a ton of guys doing it, but I would imagine a couple guys give it a go.

[TheDeuce]

I don't think there would be many One and Done type guys that will turn down an offer like this... Why would you?

[John Anthony]

So they want to build a Globetrotter like team to play the teams UK saw in the Bahamas and hope the league doesn't fold like the XFL did?

[TheDeuce]

Another question...

 

Are there 12-14 one and done guys every year that could fill this squad?

[MJAlltheWay24]

Is the exposure of playing for a top tier NCAA team worth more in shoe contracts?

[NKY Bandit]

Only $700k? Why take the pay cut?

[Jumper_Dad]

I could see a ton of kids wanting to do this for one year, why not do it?

[John Anthony]

I could see a ton of kids wanting to do this for one year' date=' why not do it?[/quote']

 

No proven product what if it fails?

[Angel squad 13]

Without a lucrative TV contract I can't see them making the revenue to pay salaries AND turn a profit. Not to mention that no tv means no exposure for the talent anyway. Need a lot more details on this thing to even think it would be considered by many elite level prospects.

[gametime]

Remember the academic standards get absurdly tough starting with the 2016 class. Something like 43% of the D1 freshmen from the 2014 class would have been ineligible under the new rules. There will be enough high end guys looking for something and this would be a great fit...

[ggclfan]

Get paid $700k and get to go to Vegas and Europe when you are 18-19. Sounds like a no brainer to me as long as you get the money up front in case the league folds..

[Jumper_Dad]

No proven product what if it fails?

They are only there for one year presumably, they get paid what do they care if it fails the next season. This is just a one year deal between HS and the NBA with kids bypassing college for $700K for one year.

[John Anthony]

Remember the academic standards get absurdly tough starting with the 2016 class. Something like 43% of the D1 freshmen from the 2014 class would have been ineligible under the new rules. There will be enough high end guys looking for something and this would be a great fit...

 

Athletes won't get a break anymore? Is this for football as well?

[Jumper_Dad]

Without a lucrative TV contract I can't see them making the revenue to pay salaries AND turn a profit. Not to mention that no tv means no exposure for the talent anyway. Need a lot more details on this thing to even think it would be considered by many elite level prospects.

These guys will all be known from All-Star circuit a year before and the NBA can work them out all they want. They won't need exposure to get drafted.

 

FWIW I'm not a fan but this or something like it I think will be a reality sooner rather than later.