[Goose]

Finally, at what level does Stanford have enough ethical concerns to pull out?
I think Stanford stays in the game almost no matter what, most likely just with football and basketball teams that are less competitive. Firstly, Stanford has a of immense proportions investment already sunk into big time athletics - both in concrete facility terms and in self-identification. Secondly, they saw the firestorm that erupted when they attempted to drop some minor sports and can anticipate how that would scale up if it were football and basketball.

I don't think that Stanford will have much choice. Without any kind of governing bodies that can control the compensation of athletes, college sports will just fall apart. It will fall apart even in the SEC when the lower tier schools realize they have absolutely no change of being even respectable anymore. Right now, every team has at least the hope they can get a good coach and recruit some guys that are loyal to Good Old U of ..., but when some other teams can just offer what it takes to buy those guys out, you have no shot. On top of that, the fans will realize the guys playing the game are mercenaries with no loyalty to the school at all. Right now, there can be at least the hope/illusion that the name on the front of the jersey matters. Wit no externally mandated financial leveling of the playing field, that will no longer be true. The students will soon realize the guys playing the game are not "one of us". Eventually, even in the SEC, the fans will too. At that point, why watch and why care?

[Goose]

Finally, at what level does Stanford have enough ethical concerns to pull out?
I think Stanford stays in the game almost no matter what, most likely just with football and basketball teams that are less competitive. Firstly, Stanford has a of immense proportions investment already sunk into big time athletics - both in concrete facility terms and in self-identification. Secondly, they saw the firestorm that erupted when they attempted to drop some minor sports and can anticipate how that would scale up if it were football and basketball.

I don't think that Stanford will have much choice. Without any kind of governing bodies that can control the compensation of athletes, college sports will just fall apart. It will fall apart even in the SEC when the lower tier schools realize they have absolutely no change of being even respectable anymore. Right now, every team has at least the hope they can get a good coach and recruit some guys that are loyal to Good Old U of ..., but when some other teams can just offer what it takes to buy those guys out, you have no shot. On top of that, the fans will realize the guys playing the game are mercenaries with no loyalty to the school at all. Right now, there can be at least the hope/illusion that the name on the front of the jersey matters. Wit no externally mandated financial leveling of the playing field, that will no longer be true. The students will soon realize the guys playing the game are not "one of us". Eventually, even in the SEC, the fans will too. At that point, why watch and why care?