Jeremy Bloom, he of the nice teefuses and sculpted (if short) bod and a ninth-place finish at the recent SLC Winter Games, is suing the NCAA, "saying it unfairly restricted his ability to continue skiing professionally".....

AP Article via the NY Times (reg. req. etc)

Note: The linked article was updated Aug. 8 to reflect CU siding with NCAA in the lawsuit

[ August 09, 2002: Message edited by: Wurm ]

From the article:

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NCAA rules allow a player to compete professionally in one sport while participating as an amateur in a collegiate sport, but players are prohibited from endorsing any products based on their athletic ability.
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Well, then, can he endorse the products based on his bodacious studmuffinliness? I'll write a letter of support in his behalf.

That's what I like about the NCAA - everyone gets paid except the workers.

The judge has ruled against Bloom ... now he has to decide between football and his endorsements. And upon hearing the news, in this pic, Jeremy needs a hug ...

[ August 16, 2002: Message edited by: DCBucky ]

The extreme hypocrisy of the NCAA is once again stinking worse than a South Georgia chicken factory on an August afternoon. The NCAA powers-that-be have written an extremely complex, convoluted, unintelligible and impossible-to-follow set of complex rules and regulations, designed essentially to enforce a system of legal slavery whereby college athletes are not supposed to be able to get any money from anywhere while they are using their college eligibility (for another example, see the Tee Martin investigations now going on involving UT boosters in Mobile, Alabama). I hate the NCAA.

For those who say "those are the rules, if you don't like 'em, play elsewhere," please note that major college football is little more than an NFL minor league. Yeah, at some schools you get "paid" in the form of an education, but I don't think even that payment is consistently given throughout the Big 12. (Certainly, the NCAA has shown no interest in enforcing whether or not the athletes at least receive that form of payment.)

Let Jeremy Bloom play football. Let him get money from his skiing endorsements, which are wholly unrelated to his football-playing, except to the extent that they derive from his inherent athleticism. Clearly some employment derived from his athletic skills would be permitted (lifeguarding? modeling?), why not skiing and the endorsements.

One unrelated point: I just saw a feature on Jeremy Bloom on FOX News. Not only is he short, but on TV, in civilian clothes, he's a whole lot younger looking than he appears in still photos. Jailbait!

Young (but legal right?), short, dark hair, athletic, smart, gorgeous, what else do I need? I drool every time I see this guy. I think I need to go back to school in Boulder.

The only thing that would make him even better in my eyes would be furry legs, a nice happy trail, and blue eyes (furry chest, even better). He could have all these, and I just don't know it yet.

[quote]Originally posted by DCBucky:
And upon hearing the news, in this pic, Jeremy needs a hug ...

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Jeremy needs a hairstylist.

If an athlete can earn a living without taking up space in college, let them. Then use the taxes they generate to allow someone with less money to go to college.

Too utopic I suppose.

[quote]If an athlete can earn a living without taking up space in college, let them. Then use the taxes they generate to allow someone with less money to go to college.

Too utopic I suppose.

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Not Utopic, just ...... (I can't think of a word to describe it.)

To me college is about more than getting a job. Sure that plays a large part of it, but on the other hand, the amount of knowledge that is gained while going through the process of getting a degree from an institution of higher learning is invaluable. I'm not talking about in class work necessarily, but the social interactions, the connections that are made that help you out in the future, the feeling that you belong to some kind of heritage (AKA being an alumni) that sets you apart from others, as well as the incredible feeling of self worth that comes with working for 4-5 years to EARN something as important as a degree. I have one degree, and I would love to have another. For me, college is about a quest for knowledge, and the satisfaction that I understand things in this world just a little better than I did before. In addition to that I also have a job that is compliments of the education that I received.

I would say that telling someone that just because they have money means that they don't have to go to school and "Take up space" (as you put it) is just plain unreasonable and shows a complete lack of respect for the education system, as well as for this young man. After looking at your profile I assume that you went through some kind of institution of higher learning, and I wonder what you would have done if someone would have said to you, "you can make enough money without going to college so I don't think you should go." Would you have said, well ok. I'll go into a sport that I can be seriously injured in at any time, at which time my career is over, and I'm left without any sponsors or endorsements, then I'll have to go back to school and pay for it anyway.

Sorry, education is the greatest thing that anyone can do for themselves. I don't blame him one bit for wanting to play ball in school while skiing in the off season, and maybe picking up some money on the side.

[quote]Originally posted by MSUBobcat:
I wonder what you would have done if someone would have said to you, "you can make enough money without going to college so I don't think you should go." Would you have said, well ok. I'll go into a sport that I can be seriously injured in at any time, at which time my career is over, and I'm left without any sponsors or endorsements, then I'll have to go back to school and pay for it anyway.

Sorry, education is the greatest thing that anyone can do for themselves. I don't blame him one bit for wanting to play ball in school while skiing in the off season, and maybe picking up some money on the side.

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I hear (or read) you MSUBobcat, and I admit that was an ofhanded comment at the end of a difficult week at work...hopefully uncharacteristic if you read some of my other posts.

For context, I was thinking of all those kids who never get a chance or money to go to college whereas Jeremy has a choice, making money on endorsements or going to college. I'd rather see someone who can't make a career out of endorsements have a chance to earn a living with a diploma, assuming of course they can handle the academics.

Personally I think everyone regardless of income should be able to go to college, and their ability to pay for a particular college should be irrelevant. That's what I consider utopic, or perhaps simplistic. Positions at good colleges are limited as you must know and for everyone who gets in, there may be several academically qualified people who don't or have to settle for second, third fourth, etc., choice or even nothing at all.

I'm also not assuming that a career in a sport in which he would get injured is Bloom's only option. He may have other, indeed better ones. As some on this site have suggested, he certainly has other qualities.

And in answer to your question, though I'm not sure how useful it is to respond to such hypotheticals, I think I would have gladly taken a career in "endorsements" and skiing or in football, if I had the talent, rather than my current job. There are ways to avoid injuries (I currently have a two-operation knee injury without the money of a sports/endorsement career and it does affect my ability to do my job) and endorsing sounds to me like a relatively low-risk job. (Accept for stalkers I suppose. )

Bloom has decided for stick with football and give up the skiing endorsements. This according to ESPN.com.

Come to think of it I would like to take a job getting endorsements rather than doing my present job also......

**Daydreaming about being paid for posing for pictures******

Ok, back to the real world. he he he

Maybe I'll be a stripper instead. I could use the money I earn to get my masters degree. hummm Now the wheels are turning.

I also like the house boy idea. Anyone need one? he he he

I need a houseboy. Do you do windows, among other things?

Just another great reason to be a Buff fan. I love football:

http://mas.scripps.com/BDC/2002/08/20/0820blo_e.jpg

Mmmmm. What a smile. It just melts my heart.

[quote]Originally posted by CUguyinSD:
Just another great reason to be a Buff fan. I love football:

http://mas.scripps.com/BDC/2002/08/20/0820blo_e.jpg

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Maybe not a fan (unless he puts on a Terp uni) but definitely a reason to watch the games.

Now if he wanted to sue for the rights to some of the money he generates as a Buff player I for one would give my full support.