Homeless Balls

After watching ESPN’s 30 for 30, Broke, my mind starting pondering this question of why and how so many professional athletes are blowing through the millions they make while playing their specific sport? It is amazing that someone can spend that much money so quickly. What are they buying and who are they buying things for? Where are they spending it? Where do they go wrong? When did this trend start and will it continue in the future? What are the league officials doing in order to prevent this tragedy from happening? These are some of the questions I will try to answer throughout this paper.

College sports have a big market on the major school levels. These major schools can bring in 30 to 40 million dollars per year to the school through the athletic programs. The players get none of this share of money even though they are the ones who have to put themselves at risk during these tough games that provide the school profit. You may say that these college athletes are getting a free education at their choice of university but some many say they should get paid. Today as much money that runs in and out of these schools there is a huge controversy to whether or not these student athletes should get rewarded for their hard work on and off the

In thirteen years of golf, Tiger Woods has made over a billion dollars making him the highest paid athlete ever. He has been the highest paid athlete now for five years in a row. We all know that many people in the world watch him play every weekend and admire him, but is the amount of entertainment he provides really worth 128 million dollars a year? Tiger is only one of many professional athletes who are extremely overpaid. “People forget that sports is entertainment,” says Leonard Armato, a sports agent. Although professional athletes provide entertainment for millions of viewers around the world, they are overpaid because the millions of dollars that they make could be distributed more evenly throughout society and go to things of a

''And this idea of players making large amounts of money also says something uncomfortable about our society, where a ballplayer can make so much more than, say, a teacher. But it's not the fault of the players. The money is obviously there. It seems like the owners have a death wish about the

Jameis Winston, Dwayne Wade, Giancarlo Stanton, and Dalvin Cook all are very big people in Florida’s sports market. They all are important to their team’s success and considered leaders on their teams. The major difference between the four players is that 3 of them are compensated for their work, but on the other hand, one which is a college student receiving a free education, isn’t paid for nearly doing the same kind of work. Many people would argue that it’s not fair that college athletes aren’t being paid for bringing in millions of dollars to the institution they play for, putting their lives in danger to play the sports, and missing tons of class to prepare for their sports games without being paid. Those who argue against the compensation of athletes would say that most college and universities don’t make nearly enough revenue to pay all the college athletes as well as saying college athletes already receive a free education with scholarships and that should be the real reason to be in college. This issue has been a debate for many years among players, the National Collegiate Athletic Association & even outside influences like celebrities and law officials.

This isn’t an argument that proposes colligate athletes should be paid just because they work hard. The reasoning extends far beyond their work ethics. First of all, colligate athletics is a billion dollar industry. On average, 44,367 fans attend a college football game. Imagine that a university such as Ohio State holds 7 games at Ohio Stadium as it did in 2003. 105.000+ fans can occupy Ohio Stadium at one time. At the least, one may find a ticket for $50, if they are lucky. During one Ohio State football game, at least $5.25 million will be made. This is just one source of revenue the university receives. Not to mention, merchandise, concessions, and BSC appearances. All are major contributors to the lucrative business of college athletics.

The existence of sports over the past 100 years has always been about support, excitement, and coming together as a team. The real question is, are student athletes actually playing for the “love of the game”? Even though college athletes provide entertainment for sport fans, they should not get paid because of many other privileges they receive. Student athletes are already compensated by the universities’ benefits. Sure, not every student athlete is on a full ride, but they are still receiving educational benefits and living expenses. They do not have to worry about money for textbooks, campus housing, meal plans, student loans and other student required responsibilities. Usually at bigger universities, if student athletes not doing well in that subject, they are required to go into one-on-one tutoring which is also free for them. Even while conditioning, student athletes are offered free professional physical therapy, athletic trainers, and

Only a select few student athletes are skilled and competitive enough to entertain a large audience of fans. Most people would rather spend their money watching professional athletes over amateurs. Most college athletes can’t afford to attend college so they should be grateful and gladly accept the benefits they are already rewarded. “Another major argument is that athletes do receive compensation for their work in the form of full scholarships worth up to $60,000 a year. Without this benefit, some athletes could not afford college. Leaving college without student loan debt relieves athletes of a major burden” ("Compensation for College Athletes" 2). People are acting like there and no other students in other programs that work just as hard as student athletes that don’t get paid. If you pay college athletes other school programs would start to cause problems and demand

The excitement of Bowl week in The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is again upon us. This week brings out the die-hard fans all excited and tailgating, but with it comes big business. This business in 2010 broke the $1 billion mark in profits for colleges as reported by CNNMoney.com. With those kinds of profits always dangling in the wind it leads to a question that is asked and argued year after year. Should the stars of the show “the collegiate athlete” be paid for his/her services?

In today’s world there are usually two people, athletes and non-athletes. Now out of the millions of sub-categories of humans; whether it be race or gender or preference or nationality, it all comes down to two types of people, those who play sports and those who watch. For those who play there is a whole lot of effort, and little reward. People say, “why can playing for a big-name school not be enough?” or, “You have a scholarship, quite asking for more”. Those who watch, think to themselves, those players probably have the highlife, flying in jets, and being paid money out of pocket. When they could not be further from the truth. For their extra work, and

Many people enjoy college football. Every Saturday during the season, millions of people tune in to watch their favorite college play football. While players of the NFL get paid millions of dollars to play, college players get nothing. Most people say that it’s fair, but others think it's wrong. In my nonfiction article. “Should college football players get paid?” by Michael Gonchar explains that college football players work their butts off and risk injury, their coaches get paid millions of dollars and possibly bonuses, and they leap for joy when they receive little gifts for being in big bowl games.

For over a century, college athletics have thrilled generations of fans; from alumni gathered in stadiums to armchair quarterbacks, the fervor of team loyalty reaches spiritual proportions. This popularity is evident from the gigantic economy college athletics have created, with the NCAA raking in nearly eleven billion dollars last year (Edelman 7). A problem overlooked in spite of this boom is the exploitation of the people who make this venture so profitable: the players. Although it has not always been the case, the majority of players now are grossly undercompensated for contributions to their alma maters, the sport, and the burgeoning economy created by the two. College athletes are exploited when universities refuse to acknowledge

There is blatant, inarguable proof that the players and their talents are being exploited. These athletes are the draw to the games. They are the reason people watch and cheer on their teams. The amount of money given as a “full” scholarship is a marginal benefit only a drop in the bucket when compared to the market value of a player’s talent and skills. Athletic scholarships, as will be explained later, is indeed financial assistance but still leaves the student athlete living below, or at best slightly above, the poverty line. The NCAA and the respective universities has a duty to be concerned with the overall well-being of its players, not just whether or not an injury would keep their star player from playing in the upcoming game. The NCAA ought to consider the social responsibility of meeting the needs of its players, subsequently initiating a reformation of the NCAA bylaws concerning paying college athletes.

The value of entertainment in our society is arguable. We as a society constantly search for new ways to entertain ourselves; professional sports are a major contribution to our source of entertainment. If those who support athletes and their sports have no problem paying to see them,

Sports fans spend too much on sports apparel. An average sports fan spends 725 dollars a year. Does it bring joy to them or their families? No! What it brings is a hole in your wallet. Buying a player jersey is cool and all, but that player could change teams. Let's face it. Kevin Durant, Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning all left their teams for another. And I feel bad for the suckers who bought Babe Ruth jersey when he was still in Boston. It's far from cheap too. This money could've been used on more important matters like college or grad school. Good grief, I keep go on and