Goodman: The NAACP needs a reality check on Black athletes

This is an opinion column.

The NAACP's recent push to have Black athletes boycott Southern universities is, quite frankly, a massive miscalculation. It is arguably one of the most misguided ideas in recent memory.

Out of Touch, Not Out of Bounds

After returning from a two-week trip, it feels as though the conversation surrounding voting rights and the future of American democracy has reached a fever pitch. While I have always appreciated the concept of “good trouble”—a phrase famously used by the late civil rights leader and U.S. Congressman John Lewis—the NAACP’s current strategy feels distinctly disconnected from the modern reality of college sports.

For decades, collegiate athletes were exploited by a system that generated massive wealth while they received little in return. Today, the landscape has fundamentally shifted. Black athletes playing football and basketball at Southern universities are now earning life-changing money. We are witnessing young men secure financial stability, purchase homes, and build the foundation for generational wealth—opportunities that exist far beyond a potential NFL career.

Economic Power and Political Shifts

The NAACP’s “Out of Bounds” campaign attempts to pressure players to avoid SEC and ACC schools, but it ignores the massive social and economic paradigm shift currently unfolding in the Deep South. By encouraging athletes to turn down these salaries, the organization is pushing a strategy that effectively erodes its own relevance.

Consider the broader economic impact. If Black athletes were to boycott programs like Alabama or Auburn, these institutions would struggle to remain competitive in the SEC. This would trigger a total collapse of a vital economic engine for the state. Aside from schools like Ohio State, Michigan, and perhaps Tennessee, nobody wants to see that happen.

Furthermore, one has to wonder about the political trajectory of these athletes. With significant bank accounts and new financial interests, are we seeing a shift in which way these players lean? If they weren't considering the Republican party before, the current environment might have them thinking twice.

A Better Path Forward

Instead of advocating for abandonment, perhaps a more effective political strategy would involve leveraging the influence of athletics to inspire change from within. Why not encourage former Black athletes to seek political office? Whether it is Charles Barkley for governor, Michael Jordan for president, or even Dennis Rodman for Congress, there is power in leadership.

The NAACP fights for vital causes, but major college athletics have evolved into a complex ecosystem. Rather than boycotting, the focus should be on empowering athletes to take over the system they currently sustain through their talent and the massive TV contracts they secure for their universities. It is time to stop abandoning the field and start controlling the game.

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