and having lived with some of the athletes on the basketball team when I was in college, I certainly believe that the athletes do deserve some stipend for living expenses.

I'm keeping in mind that these days it is more likely that the students may be supporting some children and they are living in Austin which is also expensive, but I'm floored by the $50,000 mark. If they don't have any of the obligations that I mentioned, then that is a lot of disposable income for a college student. I hope that it handled responsibly, but I can also recall occasions in the past when players on the UT football team ran afoul of the law on a variety of offenses.

He and his player's don't deserve shit from anyone.

This will be an SEC arms race

I wonder if it will also indirectly result in higher seat prices. Only having the wealthiest students at the games will change the atmosphere of the games.

LSU knows better than to get involved in that bidding war.

I can easily see where a star player could be encouraged to transfer to the highest bidder

With that in mind, I don't have a problem with the student-athletes finally getting a piece of the action.

If I want to watch a college football game that is for the reasons football originated (sportsmanship and school loyalty), then I'm going to watch a NCAA Division III, JUCO, or a NAIA game. Oddly enough, I was living in Brenham when Blinn Jr. College won the JUCO championship and Cam Newton was the QB.