Academy grads commit to a minimum of 5 years active duty service at the start of their third academic year. Grads serve as officers. Fail to graduate and you incur an enlisted commitment. Length of commitment for grads may be longer, depending on what type of service (I believe aviators commit for 8 years) or further education (medical school, law school).
There are some good athletes at the academy. Some have the talent to go pro. But even those athletes, or the vast majority, are at the academies to serve, not to prep for a pro sports career. I disagree with the President. A waiver is unnecessary. It is possible to serve and then go pro, like Roger Staubach and David Robinson. A waiver is not in the military's best interests, as it is throwing money away with no return on investment. And it will do nothing but allow academies to recruit athletes who have no real interests in serving, who probably wouldn't make it to graduation anyways.
Chris, United States Military Academy Class of 1991