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ESPN analysts, former CFB players criticize Tim Tebow’s take on likeness rights
By Jake Rill
Published:
Tim Tebow is not a fan of the bill passed in California that would allow college athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness, starting in 2023. Neither is the NCAA, which has threatened to ban California schools from competing for NCAA championships.
However, not all of Tebow’s ESPN colleagues agree.
After Tebow shared his opinion on a recent episode of “First Take,” several other ESPN analysts tweeted their contradictory views, including Marcus Spears, Desmond Howard and more. Here’s a look at what they were saying:
You can still be about school team and pride and still get ya money! #Tim my guy but I’m not with him on this one. I’ve played in front of Thousands and the day after talk to my mom who was afraid she wouldn’t make rent https://t.co/I3BSGtts45
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) September 13, 2019
Being nostalgic for the way things used to be is NOT a reason to keep insisting THE PLAYERS are the only ones in this ever-growing, multi-billion dollar business who should maintain the status quo. Let them eat too! https://t.co/7SVlC9mAcJ
— Desmond Howard (@DesmondHoward) September 13, 2019
I love my dawg @TimTebow, but everybody’s not gonna be a 1st round pick and the most notable CFB player of all time. Many kids NEED and DESERVE that money. https://t.co/ExiqebaKFI
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 13, 2019
I didn’t wana say it, so let me just retweet this instead. https://t.co/hRySm6PDvT
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 13, 2019
Nothing is “amateur” about college football. You work longer hours & a more stringent schedule than in the pros, due to academics as well.
We hide behind this word, “amateur” so as to not pay the athletes. PERIOD!
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 13, 2019
Sorry, disagree with this…. loving your college and being a team player, and making money off of your likeness, don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
— Mike Golic (@golic) September 13, 2019
However, not everybody on Twitter was disagreeing with Tebow. Former ESPN personality Danny Kanell tweeted that he agreed with the former Heisman Trophy winner:
Tim Tebow is spot on. But of course he will get ripped by all the people who have no idea what it's like to actually be a scholarship athlete. And yet they have all the answers.
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) September 13, 2019
This is likely only the beginning of this debate, as more states could pass similar bills in the future. So, it will be interesting to see how it develops as people continue to have differing opinions on the topic.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
