Should College Athletes Be Paid?

College sports are one of the largest and fastest growing markets in today’s culture. With some college sports games attracting more viewers than their professional counterparts, the NCAA is one of the most profiting organizations in America. Recently there has been controversy in the world of college sports as to whether the college athletes that are making their universities and the NCAA money should receive payment while they are playing their respective sport. Many believe that these athletes should be paid. Others argue that they are already receiving numerous benefits for playing that sport from their universities. Many of the proponents of paying college athletes are current or former college athletes who believe their hard work and hours put into practice and competing go under appreciated. They feel that while the athletes are making the university money, the athletes do not receive any cut of these profits. Opponents feel that athletes already receive numerous perks and should not receive extra compensation on top of the perks they already receive.

Ever since college students started playing sports, back in 1879 when Harvard played Yale in the first collegiate sports game, the question of whether college athletes should be paid was addressed. From that point on athletes, coaches, and college administrators have brought forward points agreeing or disagreeing with the notion of paying college students. The students argue that they deserve to be paid due to the revenue that they bring for the college and because of the games they play and the championships they win. At first the idea of paying college athletes was out of the question, but now the argument has gone from a simple yes or no to a heated debate. Since college athletes are given a free education, they should not also be paid.

Paying college athletes has been frowned upon until now. A number of colleges are trying to pay their athletes for their commitment to their sports. Paying college athletes should not be something controversial, but something ethically right due to what they go through to get to this point. What these athletes do year round: compete fiercely in a sport or multiple sports, is challenging and very risky injury wise, which is the least to say about what they offer up to play their sports. A report shows that “86 percent of college athletes live below the poverty line” ( Hayes ). Despite this high percentage, these athletes still continue to thrive and surpass the struggle to pursue a life goal. College athletes should get paid because of their hard work, dedication, and the exposure they give for the school they represent.

The NCAA brings in millions of dollars annually and the student athletes do not get a dime out of it. Recent literature has focused on the issue of compensating college athletes. This researcher found articles and statements that led to belief some coaches and people do think college athletes should be compensated for their efforts. The researcher wanted to find reasons why critics and non supporters believe college athletes should not be paid, also to find reasoning behind those that do support. This researcher believes it is unfair to exploit these college players, and to not include them in the profits they cause.

The authors begin the article discussing the creation of the NCAA and how they came to the creation of their amateurism laws, providing a background to as to why college athletes are not allowed to receive any form of monetary payment. Johnson and Acquaviva then present five arguments as to why college athletes should not be compensated. These arguments are that athletes are being paid with their education, new issues would arise with fair pay if college athletes were compensated, college athletes are receiving more than just an education, paying college athletes would eliminate competition, and that college athletes already know what to expect when they sign to play for a university. The authors then provide counter arguments that help to prove that college athletes should be paid for their play. These are that the cost of living is not covered in college scholarships, college athletes don’t understand that they will be set aside if they are injured or benched, and college athletes do not receive more than an education due to their full schedules. The authors then explain some of the plans that could help to fairly compensate college athletes, such as allowing them to receive endorsement deals. Finally, Johnson and

For quite some time now there has been a great dispute about whether or not athletes at the collegiate level should receive compensation for their hard work. The proposal of payment to student athletes has begun major conversations and arguments nationwide. Some people argue that college athletes already receive compensation by not only having to pay for college tuition but the special treatment that goes along with being a collegiate athlete. While the idea of receiving a free college education for four years is something few would complain about; when examined up-close, the issue becomes more apparent that it is not enough.

For some time, there has been much debate on the topic of paying college athletes. In courtrooms across the United States, a resolution—and a possible revolution—is beginning to gain traction. Some people believe that a scholarship is payment enough, whereas others believe the athletes are being exploited to generate millions of dollars toward the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Although student athletes and universities should agree on a term for scholarships, paying athletes additional money would undermine the value a college education.

Some people believe that college athletes should be paid due to a concern of exploitation. However most college athletes are already compensated for their athletics with scholarships and countless benefits. They already receive significant scholarships worth upwards of “$50,000 per year” at some of the most highly regarded education institutions in the nation (Text

Over the decades, Division I college athletes have been pouring their heart and soul into the game they love. Their passion for sports has allowed them to attend and play for a university of their choice. College sports is similar to a business, especially at the Division I level and the athlete’s job is to bring profit and revenue to their school. In recent years, there has been an ongoing conflict in collegiate athletics: should college athletes get paid? In this essay, I will discuss the effects of paying college athletes, and reveal on how much each athlete is really receiving.

College athletes make billions for their schools, but only get a scholarships in return. Adele Birkenes, a fellow student states that “College football and men’s basketball generate revenues of more than $6 billion every year. Yet not one penny goes toward paying the people who make the sports possible: the student athletes.” (7) With the long practices the athletes put in, and all of the game film they have to watch on top of their homework, it is like doing two jobs at once and they should get more than a scholarship in return. The players will be left with something after college instead of just a ring or a goodbye. (Pay to

To pay, or not to pay? That is the question when discussing the proposal of collegiate athletes earning a salary for participating in sports programs. Collegiate sports programs thrive throughout the nation. A forefront in american culture, college sports bring in a multitude of money, attention, and prestige for the school represented. Crazed fans, proud alumni and every-day spectators are entertained each year by college athletes giving there all in the sport they love. These athletes are not given any money out of all the money raised and are often seen as used. Despite arguments towards collegiate athlete salary proposals, payment for playing collegiate sports should not be made a possibility because earning an education in itself reaps financial benefits, the recognition of the athletic department’s roles displays flaws, and athletes are informed from the beginning what to expect out their scholarship as well as the system. Though many people find the leeching off of these devoted athletes to be a issue, paying these athletes is not the a possible solution to the problem.

College athletes graduate at an abysmal rate, but improve under conditions where players received the equivalent of more money in private colleges. Today, athletes continue to grow impatient with the NCAA’s strict regulation of paying athletes, so much that many have been driven to accepting under-the-table money from third parties. Although they are not professionals, college athletes would greatly benefit from being paid because it improves their financial security, increases their likelihood to complete their degree, and lessens their feeling of being exploited. In sum, the evidence displayed the necessary information to conclude and affirm the claim that college athletes are struggling in more ways than one, and the NCAA’s outdated restrictions have lead to nothing but frustration of former and current

It is an age old debate on whether a college athlete should be paid. It is a high school student 's dream to play sports at the collegiate level. Many people question why the NCAA, coaches, and administrators are allowed to earn large amounts of money while the student athlete’s hard work and efforts are limited to a scholarship. Others feel that is should be considered a privilege that a college athlete can earn a college degree while enjoying what they love, by playing collegiate sports. Student athletes should not receive payment because they are already receiving payment in the form of an expensive athletic scholarship and are also able to receive the new cost of attendance stipend to assist with further financial burdens.

When a student athlete signs a letter of intent to play at a division one school, he or she is generally happy for the opportunity to perform at the highest level of college competition. Like all good things though, they eventually come to an end. After awhile athletes soon begin to realize not all of their expenses are paid for. Because some of the extra costs in college are put on student athletes, some suggest the NCAA and other sources should provide additional funding to help athletes out. This issue has created a heated debate over the relationship between money and college athletes. On the contrary, the stronger argument lies with those individuals that say student

Chen, Stephanie Sturgill and Dr. Steve. "Should Student-Athletes Get Paid? | The Sports Digest." April 2008. United States