87ers sign Vander

[77ncaachamps]

The true value of Vander's scholarship (when you include tuition, books, tutors, food, housing, training facilities, coaching, etc) is more than $40K, so the NDBL is a pay cut.  Basically, the upside is he doesn't have to go to class.  I'm guessing he was never planning on using his degree or education from Marquette for any real purpose other than basketball, so you can't say he made a bad decision, but it seems to me his quality of life/fun factor would be better playing ball in front of packed houses on national TV for one more year rather than slogging it out in front of nobody in Des Moines or wherever.  Not to mention that a guy like him may make the NBA, but is never going to make enough money at it (being the 12th to 15th man on an NBA roster for short years) to set himself up for life, so a college degree would be helpful in coaching or something down the line.  But to each his own.  I hope it all works out for him.  Best bet now is probably a lengthy career in Europe.

Let's just stop right there.

No $ ever went into his pocket as a player. So he's $40k richer.

[warriorchick]

Let's just stop right there.

No $ ever went into his pocket as a player. So he's $40k richer.

Not to mention that Vander placed the value of a Marquette education at about $0.

[rocket surgeon]

i understand travis diener finished/graduated from school or at least stayed for four years, but he made approx.
$6 million from 2005-2010 and has been playing in italy the last three years and i don't know what his salary is there

[4everwarriors]

Lots of pasta

[77ncaachamps]

Lots of pasta

Or bottles of olive oil and cans of sardines.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Or bottles of olive oil and cans of sardines.

Or Vespa scooters.

[Avenue Commons]

i understand travis diener finished/graduated from school or at least stayed for four years, but he made approx.
$6 million from 2005-2010 and has been playing in italy the last three years and i don't know what his salary is there

Travis turned down the chance to be the Bucks third PG because he was tired of sitting. He plays on Sardinia, not too far from Rome. He gets paid well, although not NBA dollars, but he plays.

[dgies9156]

The true value of Vander's scholarship (when you include tuition, books, tutors, food, housing, training facilities, coaching, etc) is more than $40K, so the NDBL is a pay cut. 

Then tax it. That will change the tune at the NCAA really quick!

It is payment for services. In my book, as well as the that of the tax code and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), a payment for services is income and should be taxed at the effective rate.

[dgies9156]

If Vander made the NBA for a number of years he could more or less set himself up for life in that span if he were smart about it. 

C'mon, we're talking Vander Blue here!