The NCAA would like more of your money

March 18th, 2008 | Posted by PostmanR

There’s much malaise these days about the NCAA being a ruthless organization, exploiting kids’ talent to make millions of dollars. You know, the talent is the reason all the money is flowing in, but the stars aren’t seeing a dime of it. (This is of course because college athletes are amateur athletes.) It’s a similar fight to what Steve Prefontaine rallied against the AAU about more that 30 years ago. (I personally don’t ever see college athletes getting paid. Just seems weird.)

In any event, not only is the NCAA set to make a whopping $3.8 billion (!!!) from CBS over the next five years for March Madness, but they’re swooping in to get all your ticket money, too.

From the L.A. Times:

While maintaining a firm stance against unregulated scalping, the NCAA has struck deals with online ticket resellers in a bid to share in the wealth being created as Final Four tickets change hands in the secondary market.

Fans now can connect with resellers on an NCAA-approved website and book upscale NCAA travel packages that include Final Four tickets, hotel rooms and admission to exclusive parties. The more adventurous can even participate in a Wall Street-style market that deals in options for hard-to-get tickets.

[ … ]

“When you go to these [online ticketing] websites, you see the professional sports listed right next to college sports,” said Ellen Staurowsky, a professor who teaches sports management classes at Ithaca College in New York. “The NCAA says it adheres strongly to its amateur ideal, but it seems to be operating precisely, exactly the same way that the major professional sports enterprises are.”

[ … ]

The NCAA also hopes to give fans who otherwise would risk being taken by shady operators “the confidence of knowing that the tickets are legitimate and any revenue derived from the programs will directly benefit NCAA member institutions,” Shaheen said.

Tickets are tickets, and if they’re available to fans — the channel probably isn’t of the utmost concern. They just want to see the game, man. Even still, this reeks of capitalization and maximization of profits, not looking out for the best interest of the consumer to make sure tickets “are legitimate.” Although, you never want to be stuck with counterfeit tickets.

Unless you have to bring your daughter to that Hannah Montana show. Sure, she may be crying the whole way home once you guys can’t get in, but it’s worth not having to sit through the concert, right?