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The next step in Nigel Hayes’s activism? Joining the crew of sign-bearing students at ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast in Madison on Saturday.
The Wisconsin basketball star, who has spoken out on everything from race relations to the NCAA’s treatment of its student-athletes, revisited the latter Saturday morning on Bascom Hill, where’s ESPN’s popular pre-game show was airing ahead of the night’s Ohio State-Wisconsin showdown.
Nigel Hayes has arrived at GameDay and, of course, he has a sign. @darrenrovell pic.twitter.com/tMd5Vk4zT9
— Badger Beat (@BadgerBeat) October 15, 2016
That’s a Venmo username at the bottom of the sign, surely a nod to the college student who raised thousands of dollars for “beer money” using the same tactic last month. And no, as USA Today points out, that isn’t Hayes’s personal Venmo account.
In hindsight, we should’ve expected such a move from Hayes. Just Friday night, he actively discussed pay for student-athletes on Twitter.
You make a company millions. They "pay" you with only a college education (estimated UW $160,000).
— Nigel Hayes (@NIGEL_HAYES) October 14, 2016
Fair, right? https://t.co/Hy3yKP42hH
Or, change the injustice instead of walking away. https://t.co/TKeGqD1y98
— Nigel Hayes (@NIGEL_HAYES) October 14, 2016
$40,000, I'm out of state.
— Nigel Hayes (@NIGEL_HAYES) October 14, 2016
In State:
Cost of Attendance - $25,294
Yeah, $25,000 a year is "not bad".
Right grads? https://t.co/7QaG0GsEGj
So I should apologize to you for being a Division 1 athlete? https://t.co/yfBqj04GuV
— Nigel Hayes (@NIGEL_HAYES) October 14, 2016
Sorry I'm a better basketball player than you
— Nigel Hayes (@NIGEL_HAYES) October 14, 2016
Sorry when something is unjust, I speak up
Sorry I hurt your feelings https://t.co/JjpEIHwGyJ
The @bigten made nearly $450 million.
— Nigel Hayes (@NIGEL_HAYES) October 14, 2016
My scholarship is about $160,00.
If only there was enough money to pay us.. pic.twitter.com/EPV1d0I16X