What does Ralph Nader want?
After reading Thursday’s proposal from his League of Fans, the only thing that’s clear is that he’s mad as hell and back in front of a microphone.
In case you missed it, Nader called Thursday for the elimination of athletically-related financial aid, saying the move was necessary to “de-professionalize” college athletics. In its stead, Nader called for need-based financial aid for college sports participants, which sounds like much the same thing.
Nader and his affiliate, the Drake Group, had problems getting their signals straight when the League of Fans announcement stated that its cohort, the often overwrought Drake Group, favored eliminating college athletics scholarships. That got passed along by the Associated Press, necessitating a correction. Apparently the Drake Group actually favors need-based aid, along with Nader, although Nader describes his position as “eliminating the athletic scholarship.”
If you’re following along at home, give yourself permission to be confused.
As you might imagine, Nader’s concept is not a big hit with the NCAA. He does seem to have worked special magic by uniting bloggers with the NCAA, if only for a moment.
You do have to give Nader credit for stirring the pot, though. The AP story (the one that needed the correction) had generated 1,891 comments as of 2:09 p.m. Friday. It is not recommended reading.
