Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh didn't mince words this week when he said that student-athletes deserve their fair share of the billions of dollars generated by college sports.
During a press conference Monday afternoon, Harbaugh railed against the status quo, advocating for a system of true revenue sharing with student-athletes.
“What I don’t understand is how the NCAA, television networks, conferences, universities and coaches can continue to pull in millions and in some cases billions of dollars in revenue off the efforts of college student-athletes across the country without providing enough opportunity to share in the ever-increasing revenues,” Harbaugh said, according to the Maize N Brew.
Harbaugh said athletes need a voice in the conversation.
“I’m aware and understand that when someone speaks out in defense of those without a voice, attempts are made to diminish the individual’s character and credibility,” Harbaugh explained. “As a former player and current coach, mentoring many of these student-athletes, what I want to do is be a voice for the student-athletes. I want them to be treated with the respect and the dignity that they deserve.”
While Harbaugh said he doesn't have all the answers, he made it clear that the change is needed "now" and that the current state of affairs is unacceptable.
“You can’t say you’re about diversity, equity and inclusion if you aren’t willing to include the student-athletes in revenue sharing,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a shortsighted view of history to presume a system of revenue sharing would topple the current structure.”
