4-team CFP (2014-20)
31 entries from the 4-team CFP era (2014-2020), oldest first. Open in the filterable browser.
“But as far as paying players, professionalizing college athletics, that's where you lose me.”
Asked about the Northwestern players' union push, Swinney said he opposed paying players and professionalizing college athletics, and suggested that any improvements, such as a post-graduation annuity or stipend, should be tied to education and graduation.
“So for them to have the final say as to where I can go for my future, it's kinda ridiculous in my mind because they didn't pay for anything”
Challenged transfer rules that could cost a walk-on a year of eligibility for an intra-conference transfer, calling it ridiculous that a school that paid for nothing controlled his future.
“We don't have a voice. It's a dictatorship where everything is put on us without our input, without a negotiation right now we just want a seat at the table.”
As Northwestern players petitioned the NLRB to form a union, Colter said players have no voice in NCAA decisions and need collective protections like guaranteed medical coverage, similar to NFL and NBA players.
“If you get hurt in school colors, just because someone labels you as an amateur doesn't mean you shouldn't be taken care of for that injury, when there is a multi-billion dollar industry.”
Backing the Northwestern union petition, Huma argued that athletes hurt while playing deserve medical protection regardless of the 'amateur' label.
“The players are not blind. They see the dollars being made in the game. It's obvious.”
Responding to the NLRB ruling that Northwestern players were employees, said it was no surprise given the money in the sport and that players feel the amateur label keeps them from what they deserve.
“But there is absolutely no question that turning students into employees would take us in precisely the opposite direction that we need to go.”
Responding to the NLRB ruling on Northwestern players, Scott wrote that treating athletes as employees would be a terrible idea. Instead he called for NCAA reform with more academic support, better health care, and scholarships covering the full cost of attendance.
“And if it's different on each campus, so what?”
As the NCAA granted autonomy to the Power Five, Scott argued that cost-of-attendance stipends could differ from campus to campus, just as tuition, facilities and cost of living do.
“a little less magnanimous about the 350 schools and spend a little time worrying about the most severe issues that are troubling our programs among the 65.”
Pushing for Power Five autonomy, Bowlsby said the big leagues needed to worry less about all 350 D-I schools and focus on the most serious issues facing the 65 power-conference programs.
“Then there are [players] walking out with an $800 scholarship check a month.”
Defending suspended Georgia RB Todd Gurley, Manziel said college players who build a brand should be able to profit from it, and contrasted the billions flowing to schools, networks and the SEC with players' monthly scholarship checks.
“I think the NCAA is one of the biggest scams in America.”
Called the NCAA a scam; proposed paying players about $60,000 per year of college held in a 401(k)-style account until a certain age; criticized medical care for injured players.
“And people are upset that student-athletes need a little cash. I tell you from experience that one time I had negative 40 bucks in my account.”
At Super Bowl week, Sherman argued athletes' schedules leave no real time to use the 'free education', and recalled having negative bank balances in college; defended athletes needing 'a little cash.'
“I've said a million times that players aren't asking for millions of dollars a year.”
The lead plaintiff in the NCAA likeness case said his view had evolved: beyond likeness rights, paying athletes as employees was now a strong possibility 'within reason,' meaning modest pay rather than millions.
“It's best for my future.”
Skipped LSU's Citrus Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft, helping start the bowl opt-out trend.
“I think it's smart on their part, because it's different when you're a running back and you're taking all the shots.”
Backed McCaffrey and Fournette sitting out bowls to prepare for the NFL.
No verbatim quote recorded for this entry; summary of the source only.
Announced he would sit out the Sun Bowl to prepare for the draft, calling it a 'very tough decision'; along with Fournette, he sparked the debate over opt-outs from non-playoff bowls.
“All these young guys deciding to skip their bowl games 🤔.I would do anything to play one more time with my brothers in that scarlet and gray”
Initially criticized players skipping bowl games, then said it 'makes sense' for the injured Fournette and McCaffrey.
“Our team is worth 1.5 BILLION dollars but it wouldn't be fair to other students if we get a free hamburger.”
Responding to a Wall Street Journal valuation of Ohio State football at $1.5 billion, Burrow tweeted a jab at NCAA rules that barred players from even small benefits.
“to adapt, react and take advantage of this new world media order that's coming in a way others can't.”
Boasted around 2018 that the Pac-12 could exploit the 'new world media order' better than rivals, a claim AP noted aged badly after the 2023 collapse.
“The NFL has the greatest farm system in the world.”
At his introductory Titans press conference, Vrabel described big-time college programs as the NFL's farm system.
“The reality of it is, in many way, major college football is the minor league system for the NFL.”
Savage said major college football is in many ways the NFL's minor league, since the NFL, unlike baseball or basketball, has no development system of its own.
“I think that's a distraction. There are smart enough people at these universities to figure it out.”
O'Bannon said claims that paying athletes is too complicated are a distraction. His proposal was to open the books and share revenue with athletes in all sports, while letting stars earn outside endorsement money.
No verbatim quote recorded for this entry; summary of the source only.
After reports of the NCAA's roughly $1.1 billion in revenue, Manziel tweeted that the NCAA needed to 'PAY UP,' sharing his 2013 TIME cover titled 'It's time to pay college athletes.'
“College athletics is about college students playing other college students, not employees playing employees.”
During California's Fair Pay to Play debate, Emmert argued against treating athletes as employees and warned that California schools could be barred from NCAA championships.
“And that's just not where I feel like where college football needs to go. There's an opportunity in the NFL, but not in college football.”
On ESPN's First Take, opposed California's NIL bill, saying college football is about team and school and that paying players feeds a 'selfish culture'.
“We believe in the collegiate model, not the professional model.”
When the NCAA Board of Governors opened the door to NIL, Smith said the association would not move to a model where athletes are employees or are paid to play.
“They pay the students who tear the tickets and sell popcorn at our games. The least that the NCAA can do for those who bring so much money to the NCAA and its schools would be to pay them the minimum wage.”
Filed a class action claiming the NCAA and schools are joint employers owing athletes at least minimum wage, comparing them to work-study students who tear tickets and sell popcorn.
“I believe we need the basic rights and benefits that will help our future.”
As part of #WeAreUnited, Hobbs said players lacked enforced health and safety standards and needed basic rights and benefits.
“Our strength as players comes from our collective unity and willingness to advocate for ourselves, because if we don't, no one else will.”
Pac-12 players threatened to opt out unless the conference met their demands. These included enforced COVID safety standards, a 50-50 revenue split with athletes, guaranteed medical coverage, six-year scholarships, and administrator pay cuts to protect all sports.
“People are at just as much, if not more risk, if we don't play.”
Lawrence helped launch #WeWantToPlay, arguing players were safer in team structures than sent home. A joint statement with #WeAreUnited, drafted with players from every Power Five conference, called for universal health protocols, opt-out rights, and a college football players association.
“All together — a step toward one collective voice”
Rencher, who helped organize the cross-conference Zoom call behind the #WeWantToPlay/#WeAreUnited statement, called it a step toward one collective player voice, with universal support for a players association.
“I just think we are finally now realizing how big of a voice we have”
Co-led #WeWantToPlay with Trevor Lawrence and started a petition to reinstate the Big Ten season; said players realized how big a collective voice they have; NIL was not his top priority but 'times are changing.'
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