Early Entry? One and Done? Thank Spencer Haywood for the Privilege

College athletes produce tremendous net profits for universities or large revenues to pay for all of the other non revenue sports? Which is it? Why do athletic departments raise so much in donations if the revenues are so high? Ask yourself these questions when somebody writes "athletic departments make huge profits".

I'm surprised to see any piece about Spencer Haywood that doesn't mention the 1968 Summer Olympic Games, and I was surprised to see that none of the letter writers mentioned the 1968 Games.

To call it the Spencer Haywood rule is an insult to Spencer. Were he to try and play basketball after HS he would have had to spend a year in college doing things that have nothing to do with college. Why should someone have to attend one year of college in order to pursue their craft?

Spencer Haywood and David Bowie were married to the same woman.

Spencer Haywood had a deep knowledge of jazz, and started a jazz radio station.

As far as I know, David Bowie's jump shot was non-existent.

I find myself wondering what Len Bias would have done in his NBA career had he lived long enough. It's not central to this topic, but the Terp great could have made Maryland famous as the home of perhaps the pro sports' greatest. He could do everything.

If just one of the superstars listed who did "early entry" would champion the cause to get the rule renamed, that should get it done. For example, if Magic got on board, many of the others would follow. Or maybe a loudmouth like Sir Charles could lead the charge. Sounds like a lonely fight to go it alone, like Spencer did back in 1970, except for Seattle's owner Mr Schulman, who had to pay the NBA. That part wasn't really explained in the story, why he had to pay for court costs and a settlement.

I'm all for changing the name of the rule for the great Spencer Haywood. But nothing about Coastal Carolina?

Those of us who saw him play remember him as a great player who, if he had played earlier in New York, would have a statute outside the Garden.

I have never understood why no one cares when kids go right from high school to the NHL, MLB, pro golf or tennis tours, but football and basketball players have to be exploited by colleges first, no matter how good they are.

Hayward is right to be offended no draftees stayed for the film--pro athletes have always been known for an utter lack of interest, much less appreciation, for the earlier generations who set the stage for them to make millions--as any broken down, impoverished ex-NFL player will tell you.

To sue the league you want to play for, and to do so at age 20, is a daunting undertaking. To change the NBA forever for the benefit of the players is an historic achievement. During the 70's, the NBA doubled in size, got its first national TV contract and beat back the ABA. It suffered only one significant loss. That was to Spencer Haywood. This is a part of NBA history that the league doesn't tell. I think Haywood has good reason to blow his horn and I think the players who have benefited should properly honor him.

Prior to Mr. Hayward, young (mostly African-American) men basically had to suffer a period of four years of indentured servitude to the old white guys of the NCAA and their million dollar old white coaches. They got a fake college education in exchange for generating amazing revenue. And it still happens today.

How do people who call themselves capitalists allow this to happen? How can they allow these kids to not own their right of publicity? How can an entire stadium be wearing a player's name, while that player doesn't get a cut of those jersey sales?

Hats off to Mr. Hayward! And just name the rule after him please!

When I think of Spencer Haywood, I think not of early entry but of the trade for Adrian Dantley. In this trade, Spencer Haywood helped the Lakers win the title but Adrian Dantley saved the Utah Jazz franchise. In any trade, Adrian Dantley always gave good weight.

why should we care about the origins? with all due respect to Mr. Hayward, he didn't sue the NBA for the benefit of Ben Simmons. Thats not a knock, just a fact.

As usual, excellent column, Mr. Rhoden.

Whether before the Spencer Haywood rule or after, the NBA has successfully turned college into an NBA farm system. Without paying a penny they have a developmental program for young stars that used to last four years and now may be as short as one semester. Some see this as progress, I see it as a disaster, but that cat has long ago gotten out of the bag.

While the Kobe Bryant's of the world stand out as exceptions, the truth is that most pre-graduation NBA draft picks don't last long and are back on the street without the skills to play professional ball or the education to compete in the job market.

If the NBA and the NCCA have any sense of moral responsibility left beyond dollar signs they would have a rule where if a draftee doesn't make it, say within four years in the NBA, that they would be eligible to return to college, on scholarship and continue their education.

Without a rule change it won't happen. Even with one many won't take advantage of it. But at least we could hold on to some pretense that the function of ones time in college is learning and developing ones abilities beyond the intricacies of the pick and roll.

What a petty, sad old man. It will make no difference to the players whether or not they know that Mr. Hayword fought for the rule. It will only make a difference to Hayword's ego

Spencer Hayward and Curt Flood used anti-trust legislation to help free athletes from indentured servitude in their respective sports but it always felt like a civil rights fight to me given the players were African-American while the ownership cartel was lilly-white.

What it should be is; Spencer Haywood stay in school rule.