Goodman: The NAACP needs a reality check on Black athletes
If we want to talk about the political advancement of colored people, then maybe there’s a better approach.
Mason Reed 
This is an opinion column.
The NAACP's recent push for Black athletes to boycott Southern universities is arguably one of the most misguided strategies in sports today. While the organization aims to spark political change, its "Out of Bounds" campaign feels drastically out of touch with the current reality of collegiate athletics.
A Changing Economic Landscape
For decades, Black athletes were exploited by a system that generated massive wealth without providing them a fair share. Today, that dynamic has shifted. Whether they are superstars or rotational players, college football and basketball athletes are now securing life-changing money. This influx of capital allows young men to invest in their futures, purchase homes, and build the foundation for generational wealth.
The social impact of this financial shift in the Deep South cannot be overstated. By advising these athletes to walk away from these opportunities, the NAACP is attempting to halt a paradigm shift that is finally working in favor of the athletes themselves.
Strategic Missteps
Boycotting SEC and ACC schools ignores the economic reality that these programs serve as vital engines for their respective states. Should top-tier talent abandon programs like Alabama or Auburn, these universities could face significant instability, potentially threatening their standing in the SEC. Beyond those two, such a boycott would likely only benefit rival programs in states like Ohio or Michigan.
If the goal is genuine political advancement, perhaps the focus should shift. Instead of advocating for abandonment, there is a stronger argument to be made for encouraging former Black athletes to utilize their influence—and potentially their new financial standing—to pursue political office. From local positions to higher, more prominent roles, the potential for impact through leadership is far greater than the impact of a boycott.
Finding a Path Forward
The NAACP performs vital work in the fight for civil rights, but its strategy regarding college athletics feels stuck in a model from five years ago. In the current environment, Black athletes possess more leverage than ever before. Rather than abandoning the ecosystem, the strategy should perhaps involve taking control of it from within.
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