Poaching and reality

Though there is already a law determining what the student-athlete is, what they should receive, and what schools are not allowed to do, pinning down definitions and imposing the rule are still a long way off. To begin with, unlike in the United States, where college recruiters, coaches and other athletic officials are not even allowed to talk to high school athletes before they declare their eligibility, here in the Philippines it is open all the time. Big college and universities in major urban areas feel pressure for alumni, sponsors, and even student populations to perform well, particularly in basketball. This means that they have to do whatever is necessary, often stretching the boundaries of what is right and even what is legal. It is also big business, a machine that needs feeding constantly.

The truth of the matter is that poaching of collegiate and even high school athletes will don’t stop any time soon. On the contrary, things will get worse before they get better. This situation falls between the cracks of self governance, and government intervention. There is no formula yet to truly regulate this anomaly in sports.

This whole scenario has contributed to the objectification and commercialization of human beings who happen to be athletes. They are an asset, that you trade for, develop, and spend on. The problem is that the student athlete himself often has very little say in his own fate. There is pressure from the school, and pressure from the parents for the athlete to exchange his services for as much as he can, in terms of cash, a job, scholarship, or other resources. Even though the athlete in question is technically an adult, parents still hold tremendous influence on where he will play. How do you disobey your parents?

It is meant to be a fair exchange between the student and the educational institution they represent. In many cases, however, the school tries to exert a form of ownership on the student. Despite the fact that they have fulfilled their obligation to the school through their blood, sweat and tears, they are compelled to play an extra year, pretending to take a masters degree. Why would an athlete play an extra year for an educational institution where he is not allowed to receive compensation, instead of turning pro and earning substantially right away? If you believe that loyalty is the answer, you’re dreaming. Why risk getting injured and potentially lose millions of pesos in future income? Curious.

There is no paper trail. Transactions are often verbal. Players often find themselves in the weaker bargaining position, even if both parties are supposed to be on equal footing. Is there any authority that can step in? If the league itself has no clear rules or any way to impose them, then the law is useless. The Games and Amusements Board can theoretically step in, but only if there is proof that student athletes are receiving compensation, which technically makes them professional athletes, but this is a chicken and egg situation. They need evidence first, but it is lost behind closed doors and in the dark.

What we are banking on is the scruples of parents and coaches, who should be thinking about protecting the young men and women in question. Sadly, many of them fail in doing so, blinded by riches and benefits to come. Meanwhile, the student-athlete in question has no choice but to go along, willingly or even unwillingly. Either way, no one can help them.