Power Four Football and Academics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E8/2026-09Keywords:
play for pay, student athlete, transfer portal, NIL, and academics.Abstract
The evolution of Power Football Conferences evolved from a past history where college football players and other college athletes were students who participated in athletics in an exchange for a scholarship that covered their tuition, supplies and housing. In the current evolution of college sports amateurism is dead. The athletes are compensated for their services and are completely free agents to transfer. They are no longer student athletes. The athletes are free to sell their services to the highest bidder and transfer for a better offer and more playing time.
The issue is should academic institutions be in the professional sports business and given the exploding costs what are the benefits, if any, to an academic institution. The benefits currently reside with the coaches, players, and athletic programs.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Arthur Kraft, John Kraft (Author)

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