I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Congressman Steve Cohen has chosen to take on the NBA's age limit. Created in a collective bargaining agreement with the Players Union, NBA Commissioner David Stern has allowed for there to be a 19-year old age requirement for anyone entering the NBA. Stern has even remarked that he would like to extend the age limit to 20.
Cohen, who apparently has even bigger kahunas than I have, compared the age limit to slavery. "It's a vestige of slavery. Not like the slavery of 150 years ago, but it's a restraint on a person's freedoms and liberties," he said.
Way to go Mr. Cohen, you will get my vote. Cohen goes on to accurately explain that it doesn't make sense that a kid can go to the military at the age of 18, yet not be able to play professional sports. He even admits to the big racial elephant in the middle of the room, the one that reminds us that the majority of athletes being affected by this rule happen to be African American.
I've spoken extensively on college sports, the NBA and how black families are being exploited by these systems. People are unaware of the nexus of artificial rules and regulations put into place in order to restrict the labor rights of college athletes. Those in power understand the dramatic financial value of the black male athlete, and they use the law to control the stream of revenue the same way a dam directs water flow from a river.
Here is the break down of the NBA age limit and why the league wants to put it in place:
- An NBA player is a brand. Brands must be built. Brands are built through marketing. Marketing costs money. If the NBA has an 18-year old that no one knows about, they are going to have to spend the money branding the athlete. If the player goes to college and plays for free, they don't have to spend a dime. Additionally, the player brings a following from his/her university when they arrive to the NBA.
- Paying a player while they sit on the bench to learn the game doesn't make as much sense as having them learn the game for free in an apprentice league. The NCAA provides that service. For example, when Carmello Anthony arrived at Syracuse University, I don't think that anyone in their right mind thought for one second that Carmello was there to actually graduate: He was there to win a championship and deliver that $20 million dollar payday to the university. Derrick Rose at The University of Memphis left school with a glaring 6 credit hours toward his degree. I doubt the administration had any problem with that, as long as he was out on the court making jump shots.
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How do I set a wedding budget?
The very first thing you and your fiancé need to do is figure out how much money you will realistically have to spend on your nuptials and the celebration that follows. Keep in mind, the bride's family is no longer expected to be the primary wedding sponsor; it's common now for both families to offer assistance. But the reality is, most couples pay for their own wedding. Once you've established a dollar amount (remember a gorgeous wedding can happen at any budget), there are a number of popular websites like theknot.com and marthastewartweddings.com that you can use to complete a thorough and organized budget.
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Should you have "My Big _____ Wedding?
In our community , weddings are often huge, oversized events. But one of the biggest ways to impact your budget is by limiting the size of your guest list. There are some tough questions that have to be answered when it comes to guest list .For example, will children be allowed at the reception? Long before you decide to host a 400-person extravaganza/family reunion, you and your fiancé should each create lists of potential guests and organize them into: "People you wouldn't get married without; " "People it would be really nice to have ," and "People you can take or leave ." If or when you have to trim your list, it'll be easier to know where to start.
Large wedding party: to have or to...?"
HOLD. The days of really large bridal parties are fading. Of course, your bridal party should represent your idea of perfect, but smaller bridal parties of two to three attendants will save you a significant amount of money in transportation and flowers, and on bridal party gifts. One solution for the people that you MUST include in the wedding that aren't your BEST friends, is to consider asking them to be hostesses/ushers or to read a significant poem or scripture during your ceremony. You might be surprised how happy "the un-chosen ones" are that they can actually be a guest at the wedding without a long list of responsibilities and financial obligations.
What is my wedding style, and do I need a theme?
Your wedding style sets the tone for your entire event , and your theme is the way you'll showcase it throughout. To figure out your wedding style, ask yourself if you are traditional, unconventional or somewhere in between. If you're traditional, you may want a church wedding with a formal dinner reception. Your theme might be a "Winter Wonderland" in a gorgeous hall draped with crystals and viburnum. It's up to you! If you do opt for a wedding theme (they aren't mandatory), this is where you and your fiancé can really express yourselves as a couple by transforming your shared experiences into one theme.
When and where?
Once you have your wedding style and theme in place , you have to find a complimentary venue. If you're opting for a church wedding and you have a specific church in mind, their availability will determine your wedding date. Flexibility is key if you would like a wide range of venue choices. Some sites will give you a reduced rate for booking your event on a Friday evening, Saturday morning (or early afternoon) or Sunday. You can also save 20 to 30 percent by booking your reception during the off-peak months of January-April. Look for venues that include parking, vendor discounts and other perks.
Which decor elements really make a difference?
Expensive and plentiful floral arrangements may be synonymous with beautiful weddings , but if you have a limited décor budget you have to decide where your priorities lie. Lighting can make a huge difference and doesn't have to cost a lot. Check with your DJ or venue about inexpensive lighting packages. Candle light counts! You can find candle wholesalers all over the web. Also, explore your theme -- maybe you can use a minimal amount of flowers and display some beautiful items found at thrift stores as your centerpiece. Be sure to display your wedding cake as a piece of décor.
What should we serve?
Your food and beverage costs can account for 60 or more of your total budget. This is one area where research and negotiation is extremely important. Selecting menu items that are in season will have a favorable impact on the final cost of your meal-and the taste. Although it's commonly believed that buffet meals are less expensive, that's not always the case. A plated meal with a duet of entrees may end up being more economical and pleasing. Stations are fun and can provide a welcomed variety for your guests. However, the costs can add up once you factor in the quantity of food you'll need to satisfy guests and the cost of chefs and service staff.
What to wear?
Have you already found the dress of your dreams? Many brides begin tearing out pictures of dresses they love the day after their engagement (or secretly sooner). That's not a bad idea, as time is of the essence. Regardless of where you end up buying your gown, if it's new, you should allow at least 12 weeks delivery time to be safe. If you plan accordingly, you can snag a great deal by finding your designer dream dress at local bridal sample sales, trunk shows or events like Filene's infamous Running of the Brides. Another option is a shop like RK Bridal, a New York-based store that ships around the world and guarantees a low price.
What is the top wedding trend right now?
Going Green is one of the biggest wedding trends right now! Weddings of any budget can go entirely green or have environmentally sound ideas incorporated into any facet of the planning. There are green venues that serve only local, organic or sustainable food, invitations printed on recycled paper with natural inks, organic gowns and suits, locally grown flowers, soy candles, etc. There's really no reason why you can't share some love with planet!
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We're spending a lot of money. How do we insure that everything goes as planned?
Hire a wedding consultant to execute your wedding day plans. Can you and your cousin do it? Maybe, but do you really want to? You, your family and close friends should all be able to cherish the moment, relax, eat drink and be merry. Most "day of" wedding consultant/planners will confirm and manage vendors, create schedules, run your rehearsal and your wedding day. You'll convey all the details to them and they'll make sure everything is done to your specifications. When looking for a consultant, start with referrals from friends and family. Next, organizations like the International Special Event Society are a great resource.
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The NCAA loves the age limit because they can earn millions off players and their families, and then act as if it's a crime for the player's family to get any of that money. The NCAA earns more money during March Madness than the NFL and NBA earn in their post-seasons. The NBA players union likes the restriction, because existing players don't have to compete with young superstars coming out of high school.
A major problem with this restriction (among many) is that it is simply unAmerican. While we might want athletes to go to college, the truth is that we should all have the right to make that decision for ourselves. Additionally, college sport becomes such a distraction to the athlete, few of them are actually educated in the NCAA's current system anyway. I have taught for 16 years in this system, so I have seen the devastation up close.
"What's so surprising though is that so many people benignly ignore this clear violation of these workers' economic right to earn a living. The age limit is simple economics," said Dr. Richard Southall, a Professor at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "The NBA, in concert with every NCAA member institution, restricts the economic earning potential of young basketball superstars."
I am hopeful that one day, the European pipeline will open further for basketball and football players. Men like Brandon Jennings have found that playing in Europe is a great way to earn money, develop better basketball skills and get a real education, all at the same time. Sometimes, the best way to get an education is to get away from educational institutions. These days, the black athlete is simply being "institutionalized."
Dr. Billy Hawkins at The University of Georgia, a leading expert on black males in sports, said this about Cohen: "As a congressman from Memphis, Tennessee I think Congressman Cohen has firsthand knowledge of the practice of "one and done"; not one year but one semester and done. Derrick Rose did not necessary gain anything from his one semester at the University of Memphis, but he sure contributed to the men's basketball team's run at the NCAA championship; and thus to the revenue generated for the University of Memphis Athletic Department."
I am glad that Congressman Cohen is taking a stand for these young men. I also hope that a community of strong black attorneys will begin to investigate the legal restrictions that cripple opportunities for the families of black athletes. By remaining firm, focused and fair, we can find a way to manage this corrupt and imbalanced system.
Dr Boyce Watkins is a faculty affiliate at The College Sport Research Institute at The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and author of "Everything You Ever wanted to Know about College." For more information, please visit www.BoyceWatkins.com. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered directly to your email, please click here.
Comments: (15)
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By: undressingHER on 7/02/2009 5:07PM
I'm definitely against the age limit, but I wouldn't compare it to slavery at all. Slaves were given no type of compromise, no choice, no nothing. In this case, the powerful white men are loosing money in NCAA Men's Basketball because good players leave quickly. It's all about money, as it's always been, but not being able to play in the NBA until you're 19 is not the same as being beat, tortured, and all of those things. I don't even think it's a reasonable comparison.
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By: blackbear72 on 7/02/2009 5:35PM
This Watkins guy is crazy. The rule is so the athlete can get an education, in case the NBA doesn't pan out for him. Its up to the player to make sure he gets the education, not the NBA. If there were no age limit every good HS player whop needs money would try the NBA instead of college and the vast majority wouldn't make it. What do they do then, with no education and collage ball no longer a option? They would be another Chris Washburn.
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By: Grady on 7/04/2009 12:07AM
How does one year of college translate into an adequate education. Like the article said, you can't compare 1-2 semsters of education Derrick Rose received vs the revenue the Univ of Memphis made off of him for that 1 season. If someone has the abilty to become a multi-millionaire w/o a college degree they should go for it. If it doesn't pan out in the NBA they can always go back to school and pay for their on education with the 3+ millions they received while they playing basketball.
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By: DARRYL on 7/03/2009 1:13AM
GOV. RACISM WITH MILITARY LEADS IS SLAVERY OF SILLY AFRICAN AMERICANS, WE ARE BEING DONE LIKE WE ARE NOT AMERICANS AND THEY USE IMMIGRANTS TO COVER THEIR CRIMES OR FAKE COURT PROCEEDINGS TO HIDE THEIR CRIMES. WWW.DJUSTICEOFONE.WORDPRESS.COM
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By: Walter on 7/03/2009 2:15AM
It is an incredibly sad day when a supposed black intellectual makes comments such as the ones written above, that couldn't be more devoid of thoughtful rigorous consideration. The Dr. has fallen in line with so many of our black leaders, by putting on the clown costume and fighting kicking and screaming for any provision that superficially seems to give blacks more opportunity. He doesn't care about the fact that increasing the age would allow young men to have more time exposed to academia, no matter how little he may feel that exposure may be. Rather, he'd have the kids ripped and scouted out of high school, without any chance of experiencing what is in my opinion the most important time of sophisticated intellectual development. He'd rather see these kids tantalized by the possibility of garnering riches and fame before they ever walk across that graduation stage. We should do everything to encourage our young men and women to go to college and pursue higher education to its fullest. This is the only gaurantee that will protect us from the strong arm of those, ourselves included, who would hinder our social, moral, and intellectual advancement.
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By: Walter on 7/03/2009 2:27AM
It is an incredibly sad day when a supposed black intellectual makes comments such as the ones written above, that couldn't be more devoid of thoughtful rigorous consideration. The Dr. has fallen in line with so many of our black leaders, by putting on the clown costume and fighting kicking and screaming for any provision that superficially seems to give blacks more opportunity. He doesn't care about the fact that increasing the age would allow young men to have more time exposed to academia, no matter how little he may feel that exposure may be. Rather, he'd have the kids ripped and scouted out of high school, without any chance of experiencing what is in my opinion the most important time of sophisticated intellectual development. He'd rather see these kids tantalized by the possibility of garnering riches and fame before they ever walk across that graduation stage. We should do everything to encourage our young men and women to go to college and pursue higher education to its fullest. This is the only gaurantee that will protect us from the strong arm of those, ourselves included, who would hinder our social, moral, and intellectual advancement.
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By: shanika on 7/03/2009 3:14PM
So do you think that it is unAmerican for any large organization to make decisions for individuals? I mean, that's what our government (and Mr Obama) do every day. Do you support the Cap and Trade? I agree that the age should be 18, I disagree that this is a racially motivated rule. It's tragic that you spun it that way as if that makes it somehow more relevant to BV. What does it matter if those that are restricted are white, Asian or black? Its a violation of all Americans rights, not just blacks.
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By: Fred on 7/03/2009 5:15PM
To make the comparison to slavery is a discrace to everyone who lost their lives for blacks to be free!! I am a huge fan of basketball at all levels and a former player and I think these comments about the league using college as a means to build the "brand" of a player to benefit the NBA in insane!!!
Think about all of the reason why is beneficial for kids to get an education or at least a start and the opportunity to mature before jumping into a league of men? And you can make better sense of the age rule! Please stop comparing this modern day policy to a global issue that oppressed a race of people all over the world!
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By: mskim858 on 7/04/2009 12:50AM
I couldn't disagree more. In fact I blogged about this last month.
Cohen also said, quoting from an L.A. Times article, “There’s something wrong with keeping kids, who are more likely to be African-American than not, from playing professional basketball and football when they can help their families and communities immediately,” Cohen said. “They’re forced to go to school when they have no desire or interest in going to school.”
(end quote)
In my opinion, in this day and age when the high school drop out rate for Blacks and Hispanics is 50 percent, we should be trying to increase the motivation, desire, and interest for kids to stay in (high)school and to go on the institutions of higher learning.
Also from article Cohen said, "Part of the reason that Cohen has raised the issue is that the University of Memphis, which is in his district, has had, in Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans, so-called one-and-done players in each of the last two years. Rose and Evans, each played one season before declaring his intention to turn pro.
Cohen says, “I think the odds of either of them coming back and getting a degree is probably less likely than the Grizzlies winning the N.B.A. title next year.”
He added that the former Georgia Tech star Thaddeus Young, who is from his district, was also affected by the rule.
“He could have gone straight to the pros,” Cohen said. “I don’t think he’s going to be an engineer. It’s just kind of a mockery.”
(end quote)
I am outraged and offended by the comments of the Congressman. We need kids who value education as much as sports.
The tragedy of putting sports above education as told by former collegiate athlete Kevin Ross:
http://www.gradecheck.net/watch_video.aspx
kimlampkins.blogspot.com
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By: meditation on 7/04/2009 7:59AM
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