Wisconsin hoops star protests NCAA with shrewd sign before football game vs. Ohio State

Published Nov. 15, 2016 1:43 p.m. ET

Chris Bahr

Wisconsin Badgers hoops star Nigel Hayes was easy to spot prior to the football team’s much-anticipated matchup against Ohio State on Saturday. And he made quite a statement.

While most of the signs featured on “College Gameday” are humorous in nature, Hayes brought one with a much more serious message:

Hayes spent his Friday evening on social media, lamenting the plight of the college athlete and making his case for why college athletes should be paid:

For the record, Hayes plans to donate all of the proceeds from his sign to a great cause:

And there also was this little nugget of information passed along by FOX Sports' Stewart Mandel:

Hayes led the Badgers in scoring (15.7 PPG) and assists (3.0 APG) last season, and was second in rebounding (5.8 RPG). He was voted Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year this week in what will be his senior season.

Nigel Hayes has arrived at GameDay and, of course, he has a sign. @darrenrovell pic.twitter.com/tMd5Vk4zT9
— Badger Beat (@BadgerBeat) October 15, 2016

The @bigten made nearly $450 million.

My scholarship is about $160,00.

If only there was enough money to pay us.. pic.twitter.com/EPV1d0I16X
— Nigel Hayes (@NIGEL_HAYES) October 14, 2016

Nigel Hayes says all proceeds generated by College Gameday sign going to local Boys and Girls Club. https://t.co/x08nGCBFvE
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) October 15, 2016

Nigel Hayes was invited to the NBA draft combine. Chose to come back to school. https://t.co/TeJOdN1rns
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) October 15, 2016