So on this key dimension, the absence of competition for college athletes, these athletes are in a much worse position, financially, than their counterparts in the days of indentured servants.

FORBES: National Letter of Indenture: Why College Athletes are Similar to Indentured Servants of Colonial Times

Paying college athletes is one way to make college sports in particular less about powerful coaches and the interests of top schools and more about the individual players who currently serve as glorified indentured servants.

FORBES: How Penn State and the Catholic Church Covered Up Sexual Abuse and What We Can Do to Stop It

Because of this cartel, and unlike their skilled counterparts in the days of indentured servants, college athletes cannot receive a cash inducement to sign up or the promise of a cash payment upon completion of their term.

FORBES: National Letter of Indenture: Why College Athletes are Similar to Indentured Servants of Colonial Times

Though differing in degree, the punishment laid on indentured servants for attempting to get out of their contracts shares much in common with NCAA rules that penalize college athletes if they want to transfer to a different institution.

FORBES: National Letter of Indenture: Why College Athletes are Similar to Indentured Servants of Colonial Times

Yet unlike today, the colonial system evolved so that once indentured servants arrived in the new world, they usually had up to 30 days for their contracts to be bought out by a family member, friend, or someone willing to give an advance in order to hire them for their services.

FORBES: National Letter of Indenture: Why College Athletes are Similar to Indentured Servants of Colonial Times