Steve Cohen On Mission To Eliminate NBA Age Limit
June 8, 2009 – 7:00 am by Michael Bean
Sports and politics – usually not a good mix. Making news recently was Tennessee Congressman, Steve Cohen, who wrote a letter to NBA Commissioner David Stern asking him to eliminate the NBA age-limit which requires a player to be 19 years old, plus one year removed from high school, in order to eligible for the NBA draft. Cohen feels if an 18-year can go fight in a war, why can’t he play in the NBA? He joined KTAR in Phoenix to talk about his feelings on the matter.
On why the issue’s important to him:
“Well, I think if you can serve in the military, or you can play Major League Baseball and professional tennis, hockey and golf, or be an entertainer like Elvis, other entertainers, Stevie Wonder or Michael Jackson..any age, it’s your talent that is what’s determined – then it shouldn’t be any different in basketball. You oughta be able to earn your living and take care of your family. Most of these players have great talent, it’s been observed early, they can get paid lots during those years and there years to play aren’t that numerous. It just seems unfair to keep these guys out for a year because the NBA wants to have another year to judge them.”
Listen here to Cohen on KTAR in Phoenix
Tags: best NBA players who never went to college, KTAR, NBA Age Rule, NBA Finals, Steve Cohen
