Branch vs. Davis: Part II

At The Atlantic, Taylor Branch and Seth Davis mix it up again over the NCAA. Part I is here.

Davis:

[W]hether you like it or not, college athletes are in fact amateurs.

Branch:

By excluding players from basic rights, the NCAA concentrates power unchecked in college athletic departments.

As Davis is on the payroll of CBS Sports, which receives billions of dollars from the NCAA, I can't help but think that the debate would be much improved if Branch's main protagonist was someone without such a direct financial interest.  Surely there are independent academics or analysts out there willing to defend the NCAA?  Anyone?