Age Limit

An issue that has evolved and become prevalent in most major professional sports has been the increasing number of teenage athletes. Many of them are not even the legal age to drive. From this surprising development, David Stern, the commissioner of the National Basketball Association has instituted an age limit of 19 years old, or one year removed from high school. He believes that the athletes as well as the college, and pro leagues will benefit from this rule. The implementation of an age limit in the National Basketball Association is more harmful to the athletes, and the colleges that recruit them.

The rational for this view is that on a fundamental, philosophical level, this is really about opportunity, the ideal upon which America was founded (Smizik, Bob). So why, when a teenager shows the promise of greatness on a basketball court, should anyone deny him the right to develop his ability at the highest level?

This issue is worthy of research as the NBA may be the forerunner for many other pro leagues. Once the bar has been set many other leagues might look at the NBA and try to institute an age minimum. It is also interesting because it doesn't matter what sports one is into, this rule may affect every sport. These points are consistent considering there is no age limit in baseball, hockey, tennis, Golf. Even in Major League Soccer, where Freddy Adu, a 15-year-old is the poster boy for the league (Smizik, Bob). Think about what if the NHL had an age limit. There would be no Sidney Crosby, or Alexander Ovichkan playing this year. Imagine if 15 year old Michelle Wei was not allowed to compete in the LPGA.

This is also a significant matter as it holds back an individual's right to make a living that is being offered to them. On a practical level, an age limit doesn't make sense either. Forcing talented basketball prodigies to go to college is a mistake. Firstly, the NCAA makes millions of dollars of these players, so their status as "amateurs" is ridiculous (Thomas, Damion). There is no denying college basketballers are playing for money, it's just not their own. Secondly, most of these players will go to Europe and play for money or use up a scholarship for one year, when it could go to someone who wants an education.

Being as the age limit has just come to pass it is a hot topic amongst the sporting world. Many educated individuals have their views and opinions on the matter with makes it researchable, and very much manageable. This topic is also ethical as it deals with the right