The NCAA has so far avoided a full-on player revolt, though cracks are showing, not surprisingly from the progressive Pac-12.
Arizona linebacker Jake Fischer and kicker Jake Smith are among the six current players suing the NCAA and Electronic Arts, and Stanford defensive end Ben Gardner took to Twitter on Sunday to defend Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, who is under investigation for potentially violating NCAA bylaws by receiving compensation for signing autographs.
People are willing to pay money for Johnny footballs autograph. Doesn't American capitalism suggest that he should be able to take advntg?
— Ben Gardner (@BennyG49) August 4, 2013
College athlete or not, who knows whether he will have the same type of pro career that will offer those opportunities
— Ben Gardner (@BennyG49) August 4, 2013
Excuse Johnny manziel for striking while the irons hot
— Ben Gardner (@BennyG49) August 4, 2013
Former Cardinal teammate Sam Schwartzstein added his two cents.
@BennyG49 but in order for the NCAA to be a tax exempt organization Johnny can't profit on himself. The people not playing get to.
— Sam Schwartzstein (@schwartzsteins) August 4, 2013
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.