Connecticut Women’s Basketball HC Geno Auriemma says of NIL: "I think it’s a test. It’s a test for whether people are full of sh-t or whether they’re serious. It’s a test for do we keep the charade of student-athlete and amateurism or do we call it what it is: semi-professional, pay-for-play sports? Either keep the charade of student-athlete – teams wouldn’t be going 3,000 miles to play conference games if it had anything to do with student athlete welfare, that’s number one, so we obviously threw that in the garbage can, so let's just call it what it is…and then let’s make it a business and figure out how do we manage this business. Other sports have done it. Pro sports have done it. They sign kids to contracts, and you're bound to your contract, and let's honor the terms of the contract. Let’s do it. You’ve already got kids holding out. You’ve already got guys playing and going ‘I ain't playing anymore until I get more money.’ So we've become professional sports. " He adds of the transfer portal: “How about we teach kids how to make a commitment and stick to it? … A coach can leave anytime he wants. I can. I have a buyout. That’s a great idea, let's sign kids to a contract and let’s put a buyout in it. Let’s make it a business because that's exactly what it is. That would fix it. And let's have a salary cap. … So, they're getting close, but they’ve got to start calling what it really is and not be ashamed of it. The kids aren't ashamed of it.” (link)"

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So how do we implement those suggestions?
How do you add a buyout to a player's contract without violating anti trust laws?

Auriemma notes pro sports have done it. They've done it by making their "players" employees, forming a union, and arbitrating a salary cap and buy out framework that the players' union agreed to. It is a precedented path collegiate athletics could implement to end the Wild Wild West if and when they eventually choose to do so.

How do you feel about making athletes employees?
How do you feel about a national union of those employees, with a player representatives from each school, like the NFL does?
How do you feel about arbitration?

No matter how you feel -- for it or against it -- would the employee/union produce better results than the Wild Wild West?

Through FSU's struggles this season, the FSU defense has allowed more than 30 points just once this season. That resolve will be put to the test tomorrow night against a Heisman contender in Miami QB Cam Ward and the Hurricanes' potent offense.

FSU sports information:

The No. 17 Florida State soccer team (10-2-2, 5-2-1 ACC) hosts Senior Night in the final home game of the regular season against No. 4 North Carolina (14-2-0, 7-1-0 ACC) on Friday night. The Seminoles currently hold a 24-game unbeaten streak at home dating back to 2022.

The honored seniors will be two-time national champion Ran Iwai, current FSU points leader Taylor Huff, Texas A&M transfer Carissa Boeckmann, Portland transfer Camille Ashe, NAIA transfer Marianyela Jiménez, and Maryland transfer Maddie Smith.

Florida State and North Carolina will match up for the 50th meeting between the two ACC powerhouses. The two sides are the lone ACC Tournament champions in the past decade, Florida State earning eight conference tournament titles in that span. The last meeting saw Jordynn Dudley ascend to the national spotlight with a two goal performance while Mimi Van Zanten scored an unbelievable equalizing goal off a corner kick with just seven seconds remaining. Both players went on to be named to the 2023 All-ACC Freshman Team.

The Seminoles totaled 11 goals over the last two games against No. 23 Virginia and preseason No. 7 Pittsburgh. Wrianna Hudson and Solai Washington combined for five goals in past two games, both freshmen recording a goal in each game while Hudson scored a first-half brace against Pittsburgh. Huff and Giana Riley each scored a goal in each game, Huff pushing her goal tally to double digits.

Huff leads the squad in all scoring categories with 10 goals and seven assists for 27 total points. Huff became the fastest to reach 20+ points in the past five seasons and is only one point away from reaching her point tally from last season.

The freshman class has performed brightly with a combined 54 total points, 18 goals and 18 assists. This marks the most freshmen goal contributions in the past five seasons across all three metrics. Hudson leads the class in goal scoring with six while standing level with Ashlyn Puerta on four assists.

FSU has scored 48 goals in 14 games this season, the most in that span since 2021 (49). The defense has kept eight clean sheets including three conference game shutouts.

Gates are scheduled to open at 6 p.m. and general admission is free. The first 300 fans will be eligible to receive a 2023 National Championship replica ring voucher to redeem in the back of the concourse. Fans can also take a picture with the 2023 National Championship trophy. Students will be eligible to purchase $5 draft beer with a physical student ID.

The 7 p.m. game will be available to watch on ACC Network Extra. Live video and stats will be available at Seminoles.com.