re: tOfficial LSU 2015/2016/2017 Basketball Recruiting Thread

That's a great article. He doesn't really go all the way in on it, but the end of the article hints at the hypocrisy of college coaches (Pitino here).

quote:

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If you're looking to fight the war of shoe company involvement in college sports, you missed it. It's over. The shoe companies won.

And you know who else won? Players.

Remember them?

Here's what I don't like when players get bad-mouthed for letting shoe companies and potential future earnings and relationships come into their college decisions.

It's the smart thing to do. It's not against the rules. And it only makes sense. I don't like shoe companies dropping tons of money on these guys as high school players, but what I like or don't like doesn't matter. The NCAA allows it. Play on.

Here's another reason players shouldn't be blamed for considering what shoe companies have to offer.

They're only doing what the coaches do. You know who else is taking millions of dollars from shoe companies? Coaches. Rick Pitino is one of adidas top coaches in terms of endorsements. You can't find one that doesn't have a big shoe deal. Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, Jim Boeheim, the whole gang.

If the NCAA is doing business with the shoe companies, and schools have large apparel and equipment deals with them, and coaches are under contract to them, you're telling me that players somehow shouldn't be influenced?

Please. That shoe dropped a long time ago.

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