It’s difficult to snap slimy fingers. Therefore, at the moment, the NCAA looks incapable of simply snapping its fingers to prevent allegations like the ones this week involving Nike and the most famous Duke basketball alum. The only solution, then, is for the “nonprofit organization” to take a bath — financially — or at least be willing to if that’s what it takes to clean up the game.
Unfortunately, the simple step to take back ownership of major college sports from shoe companies requires exactly what the NCAA currently seems to lack: a spine, a sense of right and wrong, and concern for student-athletes.