There are actually thousands of fans both regionally and nationally the identify with a college team where they did not attend. Many simply prefer the amateur game for its relative absence of spoiled fat egos and greed. All it takes to have a loyal following is an admirable coach; the players come and go, but we root for that guy's team to win because we think he deserves it. His formidable presence then attracts formidable talent, and he has a winning program which bodes well for the school's image and attracts more fans.
Along comes 60" HDTV's, DVR's, and streaming video -- and any game becomes a much bigger spectacle for us hungry consumers; the revenues rightfully follow, and this whole phenomenon should not be assessed as anything more than the evolution of supply and demand.
The net profits which some think are too exorbitant are fleeting -- lawyers and insurance wizards will find a way a suck much of that out.
We may be headed for touch football -- can't see a huge following in that.
Don't these same coaches sign or re-sign for multi million dollar contracts? Where does the school find these funds? Saban is respected, and bc he is admired; brought in waves of talent on "academic scholarships" whose primary intention is to become a professional NFL player.
This "shot" allows him to sustain a powerhouse college football program. The football students chose Alabama over the other top schools offering the same "opportunity"; they are wise enough to know the likelihood of entering the NFL increases while attending Alabama over say, a Maryland. It also increases the national notoriety and general popularity of the college, along with improved school enrollment in relation to neighboring colleges in the region.
It encourages future college football athletes to consider Alabama as the proper place to hone one's craft before declaring. They didn't go to a semi pro team, they didn't go to Canada, etc. They could've gone anywhere, but chose this school for that very reason. The "proper" way to make it into the NFL is to enter a top D1 school that the NFL deems as an acceptable "Training Ground" before you are ready. They are still profiting off of the student athlete. Sounds like we are just arguing the chicken or the egg @ this point.
