Mark Cuban: Players With Strong Brands Should Skip College And Make Money In G League

[RealGM Wiretap]

Mark Cuban stated that players who are good enough basketball players and have a strong social media brand should choose the G League over college due to marketing opportunities.

“If you’re a strong enough brand and a good enough basketball player, you’re crazy...if you don’t take the [$125,000 salary] in the NBA G-League (because) they can also do their own marketing deals. They’re not constrained by the NBA players association," said Cuban.

Cuban added that social marketing has changed the equation for top basketball prospects. 

“Pick a very popular player that has a couple of million Instagram followers. You can go right to the G-League and probably sign a multi-million shoe deal. Why wouldn’t you do that instead of going to college?...They already have followings. They can sell merchandise. They can do marketing. They are already Instagram and online influencers. They can finally get paid for that...The world has changed.”

Via Ben Standig/NBC Sports

[foreigngrammar]

So here we are...
2019. That was it

[Portlander]

So, does that mean it's too late or not for international players that have a strong brand as well? Or is this JUST for American highschool kids who haven't gone pro anywhere yet?

[Pickled Prunes]

Except that an NCAA title means something and a G league title means nothing!

[DannyAingeIsGod]

Except that an NCAA title means something and a G league title means nothing!

Youe comments are irrelevant as always. Who gives a F about a god damn college championship over millions of dollars in your pocket. Think guy think.

[jerry25]

The NBA needs to upgrade salaries of G-League bigtime, and have 1 salary around $750K per year, and another salary around 500K by 2022 when high school players will be available;
They should require 2 years of college or age 20, before entering NBA;
After 1st year of college the players get another chance to enter G-League;

Such changes would catapult G-League to level of Euroleague; Players could have business contracts;
Most will still choose to stay in college for 2 years, and college basketball will be much better as a result;

Not clear if this is what Adam Silver has in mind for 2022;
It would be a mistake to go back to High School players going directly into the NBA - too much uncertainty and it deprives the College game of stars;

[Pickled Prunes]

Except that an NCAA title means something and a G league title means nothing!

Youe comments are irrelevant as always. Who gives a F about a god damn college championship over millions of dollars in your pocket. Think guy think.

Wow! I think you have an over inflated sense of self importance. Any comment that doesn't align with your way of thinking is irrelevant?

Please give me a list of players that made "millions of dollars" in the G league this season. Enlighten me, please!

Is it possible that competition is more important than money to even a few athletes?

[foreigngrammar]

Except that an NCAA title means something and a G league title means nothing!

Youe comments are irrelevant as always. Who gives a F about a god damn college championship over millions of dollars in your pocket. Think guy think.

So your head now is full of **** and money!? That't what i comes down to.
Oh how society got the best of you

[LewisnotMiller]

This missing piece here is that both developing and showcasing your game are more financially important long term than a year of ANY competition.
Not arguing for NCAA, G league or even international play (ala Ferguson), just that comparing salaries for a year when talking about marquee talent seems short sighted, whatever side of the coin you drop on.