In light of numerous scandals, the NCAA’s refusal to pay players while reeling in the corporate money has been scrutinized heavily this season, and the NCAA’s use of an official ladder to cut down the nets did not go over well.
The NCAA made it a point to make sure Werner, the official ladder manufacturer of the tournament, got ample camera time as Villanova players cut down the nets on Monday night. That prompted outcry on Twitter.
The NCAA has an “official ladder” of the tournament. Maybe it’s time to give the kids a little bit more of the take.
— Bob Walsh (@CoachBobWalsh) April 3, 2018
In one final nod to amateurism, the NCAA gets to cash that “official ladder” check from Werner.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) April 3, 2018
There's an official ladder for the NCAA, but it would screw up the sanctity of the game to pay the kids
— Jerry Beach (@JerryBeach73) April 3, 2018
Not sure how the NCAA would scrape by financially if they didn't have an official ladder sponsor.
— Dylan Haines (@DHaines1) April 3, 2018
People have been quick to point out what is perceived as NCAA hypocrisy given how rich they’re getting off unpaid student athletes, which has resulted in some rather radical proposals. Detractors will point to the existence of an official ladder as further evidence that the system is broken.
