Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany: Let players bypass college

Jim Delany says players should be allowed to sign professional deals out of high school. (Jason Szenes/Getty Images)

Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany says that Division I college football and basketball would be better served if they followed Major League Baseball's model, which allows players to sign professionally right out of high school.

Delany says a restructuring plan in college sports must be in place by next year to create a better balance educationally. He also said that the major colleges need the "legislative autonomy" to push through some major changes.

"Maybe in football and basketball, it would work better if more kids had a chance to go directly into the professional ranks," Delany said, via ESPN.com. "If they're not comfortable and want to monetize, let the minor leagues flourish. Train at IMG, get agents to invest in your body, get agents to invest in your likeness, and establish it on your own. But don't come here and say, 'We want to be paid $25,000 or $50,000.' Go to the D-League and get it, go to the NBA and get it, go to the NFL and get it. Don't ask us what we've been doing.

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"If an athlete wants to professionalize themselves, professionalize themselves. We've been training kids for professional sports," Delany said.