Why PAC-12 Football during COVID-19 is a bad idea
America wants college football, regardless of the inherent risks COVID-19 may bring. On Thursday the Pac-12 approved a seven game conference schedule set to begin on Nov. 6.
The Pac-12 CEO Group’s decision reverses their previous unanimous decision made in August to cancel their football season.
“This has been the result of what we said back in August -that we'd follow the science, follow the data, follow the advice from our medical experts," Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said.
Football is practically a religion in America, a lucrative religion I might add. Let’s just focus on college football for now. Last season there was a $66 million payout to each of the Power 5 conferences granted by College Football Playoff Committee, per ESPN.
$66 million, wow. No wonder these schools want to play. Might I add, the Pac-12 includes valuable collegiate brands such as University of Southern California, Oregon Ducks, Stanford, University of Arizona and Arizona State.
In the Pac-12 CEO Group’s eyes, the health and lives of student-athletes are less valuable than money. Yes, the potential financial loss is tremendous and may create a huge deficit within their respective conference members’ athletic departments, but it’s just not worth the risk, at least for football.
But why? I mean the conference has pledged to use FDA-approved tests, per ESPN. They even pledged to test their players daily to avoid contact tracing. Student-athletes will be okay, right?
Not so fast. The numbers aren’t in their favor. An average Division 1 college football roster contains roughly 120 players. That number includes 85 roster players plus 35 walk-ons that are allowed to join the team. However, that number doesn’t include the assistant coaches, training staff, among others.
Now, let’s focus on the inherent risks that comes with playing football during COVID-19.
Practicing social distance is virtually impossible during a football game. Not to mention, ensuring that each player practices proper hygiene is a logistical nightmare. Sure, athletes will be probably be required to wear masks, but the constant contact only increases chance for players to contract coronavirus.
Players from the defending national champions, LSU Tigers, have already experienced a COVID-19 outbreak. Other schools such as Texas Tech, Baylor and Virginia Tech have reported outbreaks within their teams as well.
But what about the NFL? They are currently playing.
Yes, indeed they are. But, professional NFL organizations are dealing with independent contractors, not student athletes. Sure, many consider college football players to be professional athletes, but realistically, they’re amateurs.
Yes, America wants college football. Schools need revenue. Student-athletes want to play. But the life of a student-athlete is more valuable than money. It’s just not worth it, at least not for college football.