High School Athletics Changing
April 22nd, 2015 by flanewsMajor changes could be coming to high school sports, and as Matt Galka tells us, opponents are worried a free agency market has opened up for players.
The landscape of high school sports could change if House legislators get their way. A bill that could eventually eliminate the Florida High School Athletics Association passed overwhelmingly.
It would also allow kids to go to a school of their choice if their current school doesn’t offer a certain sports program.
Representative Kevin Rader (D-Boca Raton) voted no because he said it created free agency. He referenced Brandon, Florida’s 34 year high school wrestling winning streak that was achieved with homegrown talent.
“They were the best wrestling program in the state starting when they were young, and that’s what we should be doing with student athletes, not trying to get them to switch schools,” he said.
The bill’s sponsor downplayed the fears.
“This affects very, very few kids because we’re talking about small schools with no athletic programs that this would allow kids to participate at another school. Once they go to that other school, that’s their school of record,” said Rep. Manny Diaz (R-Hialeah).
The bill could also help families who have kids playing sporting events over multiple days. It gives fans the option to buy multi-day tickets instead of spending money each game.
“You could imagine a family of four or five going to watch a sibling could end up paying over 100 dollars just to watch a son or brother or sister play,” said Rep. Diaz.
The FHSAA responded to the bill in a statement saying it “trumps academics with athletics and tosses fair play to the side.”
The Senate is expected to take up their version of the bill later this week.
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