The case, NCAA vs. Alston et al named for former West Virginia University football player Shawne Alston, one of several athletes who initiated the suit centered on student-athletes from Division I men's and women's basketball and FBS football. 1 overall pick and earn a multimillion-dollar contract? Student athletes and their parents have likely heard that the NCAA has opened the door to allow collegiate athletes the ability to profit off their name, image and likeness. A work-study job could pay several thousand dollars each year, and working at the typical minimum wage $7.25 per hour for 35 hours a week would earn the student a little over $1,000 per month. Its not just the time commitment that playing college athletics puts on student-athletes, its the risk to their health. On the opposing side, many argue that there are major differences between intercollegiate athletics and professional sports First of all, they should not get paid as very few college players are taking the spotlight. https://www.britannica.com/story/pro-and-con-paying-college-athletes, according to the Business of College Sports. Rent-Sharing in Modern College Sports, nber.org, Oct. 2020, Tommy Beer, NCAA Athletes Could Make $2 Million A Year If Paid Equitably, Study Suggests, forbes.com, Sep. 1, 2020, NCPA, Study: "The Price of Poverty in Big Time College Sport" - 9/13/2011, ncpanow.org, Sep. 13, 2011, Mary Kate McCoy, Survey: Nearly a Quarter of Division I Athletes Face Food Insecurity, wpr.org, May 6, 2020, NCAA, Scholarships, ncaa.org (accessed Mar. Everyone Loves to Watch Zion Williamson Play. Wake up to the day's most important news. In June, the governing boards for all three NCAA divisions approved what they termed "a uniform interim policy" that suspends previous rules regarding endorsements for all incoming and current student-athletes in all sports. Paying student-athletes turns them into professionals and sullies the purity of amateur athletic competition. [34], The major money-makers, football and mens basketball, have very low odds. A report produced by the NCPA and Drexel University estimated the average annual fair market value of big-time college football and mens basketball players between 2011 and 2015 was $137,357 and $289,031, respectively, and concluded that football players only receive about 17% of their fair market value, while mens basketball players receive approximately 8% of theirs. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Salarship.com is the sole proprietorship of, student-athletes should be playing sports with education as its primary driver, 201,546 College Student Jobs Are Available on Salarship. Considering other scholarships and aid are widely available and not all college athletes require financial aid, the NCAA scholarships are generous. Players are awash in Nike gear owing to the apparel giant's $174 million deal with Michigan and $252 million deal with Ohio State. Might some form of financial compensation make this compromise easier to take? After making billions and billions of dollars for universities, players being compensated is an obvious, fair decision and should have happened a long time ago. A handful of big In the first minute of top-ranked Dukes game against its archrival, eighth-ranked North Carolina, Williamson, a 6-fotot-7, 285-pound forward whose game is a blend of quickness and power, pivoted with the ball near the free-throw line. Some are calling him the next LeBron James. All rights reserved. Takeaway: Many college athletes are in need of financial benefits. This would also help keep top talents playing for college teams, improve the level of competition, and potentially lead to even higher revenue. This argument holds true especially for football and basketball players, who become household names during their respective seasons. The Pros And Cons Of Paying College Athletes However, the decision whether to provide compensation to students or not is one that is difficult to resolve. While college athletes' payments are a controversial topic, their hard work and health must be fairly compensated no matter what, and a salary seems to be the best way for it. In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law allowing college athletes in the state to sign endorsement deals with brands. [13] [14] [41], Gabe Feldman, JD, Professor of Sports Law, Director of the Sports Law Program and Associate Provost for NCAA compliance at Tulane University, noted that the last time the NCAA was at the Supreme Court was in 1984 (NCAA vs. the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma). WebPaying the athletes in the team will make them put their focus on why should college athletes be paid essay and athletic with no worries about money. A seriously injured athlete could lose their scholarship (which is guaranteed only for one year at a time), jeopardize their opportunity to play professionally and potentially earn millions, or even face lifelong disability if the damage is permanent. Not necessarily but a school would be required to ensure that female athletes receive proportionate opportunities for scholarships. player was, too, even before Duke announced that Williamson had sprained his right knee in the fall. Not So Much. These also happen to be the highest revenue-generating sports in college athletics. Furthermore, it could also be a significant driving factor for them not to misuse their money. Should they receive more because they were All-Americans? The Department of Education reported that college athletic programs collected $14 billion in total revenue in 2019, up from $4 billion in 2003. [16], In 2021, the National College Players Association (NCPA) Executive Director Ramogi Huma stated, [m]any of these athletes are Black and from low-income homes the NCAA treats them like disposable university property. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. Mandatory pay would either reduce the budget for other departments of the university or reduce the number of student-athletes. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives. Just 1.6% of college football players will take an NFL field. On June 28, 2021, the NCAA Division I Council recommended to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors that student athletes be allowed to profit from their name, image, and likeness. Of the 36,011 college baseball players, only 8,002 are eligible to play professionally each year. It will be traded for lackadaisical plays and half-ass efforts that we sometime see from pros. According to the NCAA, over 150,000 Division I and Division II student-athletes receive $2.9 billion in scholarships each year (Division III schools don't offer athletic scholarships). Financial irresponsibility Amateur players receiving compensation just seems like a complete disaster. Even though athletes are compensated with scholarships, it is often not sufficient to graduate debt-free from college. [29] [30], Further, most college programs do not generate the income needed to run their athletic programs, much less pay athletes. [27], About 25% of Division I athletes reported food poverty in the past year and almost 14% reported being homeless in the past year. But the state was quickly followed by more states. For example, a student athlete will be compensated for the sale of a jersey featuring their name, or for a sponsorship deal in which they appear wearing a UNC jersey. As always, there are two sides to any argument. [28]. The top 25 football coaches take home an average of $5.2 million, while the top 25 basketball coaches bring in $3.2 million. For example, fair market value for a University of Texas football player was $513,922. Players may stay longer To back up the last point, players wouldnt have to leave school early and would still be able to pursue an education while taking care of their family back home. All of this begs the question, that if the NCAA did choose to pay college athletes, what would be the advantages or disadvantages of doing so? - SmartAsset College athletes work hard and make lots of money for their colleges. [25] [26], The study found that [t]he player-level analysis reveals that the existing limits on player compensation effectively transfers resources away from students who are more likely to be black and more likely to come from poor neighborhoods towards students who are more likely to be white and come from higher-income neighborhoods. [25], College athletes are required to make up the difference between NCAA scholarships and the actual cost of living. In other words, it would be more prudent and more profitable for college athletes to focus on education as their compensation. 2. Takeaway: Even though paying college athletes a salary would lead to legal issues, it is illegal to limit educational compensation for college athletes. The NCAA keept players in poverty and denied them ways to earn money, while making millions on their performance. She lost the case, but future generations would have more success and have slowly whittled away at arguments against paying athletes. Takeaway: College is expensive. In all likelihood, paying college athletes will benefit big-time, revenue-generating sports and hurt less popular sports. WebPeople who believe that college athletes should not be paid often point out that professional athletes in the major sports can make millions of dollars. Mark J. Drozdowski, Ed.D., is a senior writer with BestColleges. While theNCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) earns billions in revenue, it prohibits athletes from earning a single penny. The game airs on ESPN, one of three networks linked to the Big Ten, thanks to a $2.64 billion contract. Our peer review tool allows you to receive feedback and learn the strengths and weaknesses of your essay for free. From a students point of view, paying college athletes will alter their college experience. Do you find his argument persuasive? College athletes are on the verge of being able to make money off their fame as the rules that have governed college sports for more than a century are upended. The odds are even lower for womens basketball at 0.6%. College students should participate in sports for the love of the game, not for financial gain, following the long-forgotten credo held dear by Olympic athletes. Proper citation depends on your preferred or required style manual. ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Sometimes money is needed. Full scholarship itself is a misnomer; the same study found that the average annual scholarship for FBS athletes on full scholarships was actually $3,222. "Paying College Athletes Top 3 Pros and Cons." Funding the student-athletes would be a massive shift in budget distribution. I feel like a student athlete. College Athletes Getting Paid? 4. WebCollege athletics have received magnificent popularity among americans above the past few years.This has resulted into improved revenues for the (NCAA) then the taking part Title IX stipulates that colleges must provide equal opportunities for male and female athletes. [1] As of Mar. [45], On June 30, 2021, fewer than 12 hours before some states NIL laws went into effect, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors issued an interim ruling stating that Bylaw 12 (the rules that say athletes cannot receive payment) will not be enforced. WebAs Forbes' Chris Smith wrote, CBS and Turner Broadcasting make more than $1 billion off the games, "thanks in part to a $700,000 ad rate for a 30-second spot during the Final No college should be required to pay athletes, and no pay structure needs to be planned. [36], Amy Perko, CEO of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, said of the Gallup findings, Its a positive report for the educational benefits for college sports, and it reinforces the point that weve tried to make over the years. Explore the NCAA site and think critically about the organization as the governing body of college athletics. As John Thelin, PhD, Research Professor of History of Higher Education & Public Policy at the University of Kentucky, explained, paying salaries to players will increase [athletic] program expenditures without necessarily increasing revenues [and] a handful of powerful programs will stand to gain in competition for athletic talent simply because they can afford to pay salaries. Should college athletes be paid? Some argue that paying student-athletes will make way for a more transparent usage of NCAAs revenue. Over the years we have seen and heard scandals involving players taking money and even point-shaving. 4. WebPeople should be paid for their labor and the value it brings to organizations. The difference is less pronounced among females, with non-athletes averaging a 3.24 GPA and recruited women athletes at 3.18. People see fit that students get paid for their performance as they are the fundamental piece that drives external revenue to universities. Paying college athletes would not solve the real problem: the American amateur sports system is broken. The only people not receiving a paycheck are the stars of the show: the athletes. If the bill passes, the law will go into effect on January 1, 2023. Promo code: The Flutie Effect on college admissions named for Doug Flutie, the Boston College quarterback who put his institution on the map in 1984 with his famous Hail Mary pass against the University of Miami and his Heisman-winning season can be dramatic. And under ordinary principles of antitrust law, it is not evident why college sports should be any different. In Business Insider last week, there was an article that stated, It is estimated that the University of Louisville has the most valuable players at $1.72 million per year based on the programs $45.6 million in annual revenue. Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admissionand how to improve them. But California was quickly followed by more states. tournament, which begins in a month. If colleges paid athletes even close to their worth, they would provide an incentive for the athletes to stay in college and earn degrees, rather than leaving college for a paycheck. Most players have no real amateur sport option and those who would rather not go to college have no other established feeder system to make it to a professional team. Consider the elite players in The ruling changed the broadcast regulations for college football. WebHere are Main Pros and Cons of College Athletes Be Paid Pros of paying college athletes Motivates to be more beneficial: Rewarding school competitors and obviously, their If each According to CNBC, 60% of NBA players go broke within five years of departing the league and 78% of former NFL players experience financial distress two years after retirement. College athletes may also play a second sport professionally and be compensated, such as Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker who earned a $1.4 million baseball signing bonus from the Colorado Rockies in 2010 while still playing football for the Tigers. Former ESPN, and current FOX Sports, personality Colin Cowherd made news in 2014 when he voiced a popular argument against paying college athletes: financial irresponsibility. believes. Will the coach make these determinations? The ruling changed the broadcast regulations for college football. The math behind the argument against Williamsons returning is simple. [25] [26], If college players earned about 50% of their teams revenues like the NFL and NBA players do, the average football players yearly salary would be $360,000 and the average basketball players yearly salary would be $500,000. Panel Recommends," nytimes.com, June 28, 2021, Alan Blinder, "College Athletes May Earn Money from Their Fame, N.C.A.A. Furthermore, only two major sports (basketball and football) are making significant amounts of money some dont generate any or are purely just expenses. White People? UNC athletes will be able to earn money for NIL marketing including UNC trademarks and logos in groups of three or more athletes. And that doesn't include income from broadcasting rights and corporate sponsorships. Many are captivated by his thrilling monster dunks. More than 100 Division I coaches earn over $1 million per year. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA, Natalie Leppard Scores of college athletes are being used to generate money for NCAA sports in a pandemic without the NCAA enforcing any COVID standards. [17], The NCAA reported over $1.06 billion in revenue in 2017 (the most recent available numbers). NCAA is a non-profit organization. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. As Jon Solomon, Editorial Director for the Sports and Society Program at the Aspen Institute explained, The most glaring example occurred when the University of North Carolina was found by outside parties to have organized fake classes that enabled dozens of athletes to gain and maintain their eligibility of the 3,100 students who took the fake classes over 18 years, 47.4 percent were athletes North Carolina avoided NCAA penalties by essentially arguing that the NCAA should stay out of irregularities in college courses. [24] The NCAA polices athletes finances but does not ensure a quality education. A former columnist for The Chronicle Reece Johnson is the managing editor for news, issues, and trends. WebCollege athletes are allowed to compete in the Olympic Games and be financially compensated, such as Joseph Schooling, a University of Texas swimmer, who earned a $740,000 bonus for winning Singapores first gold medal ever at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro However, it would not allow for a more visible use of the NCAAs budget. CollegeVine can help! That is how the college sports economy works, even as Duke; its conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference; television networks; and, of course, Nike, the apparel company that sponsors Duke and made the shoe that so spectacularly ripped apart, reap billions of dollars from the efforts and talents of preprofessional athletes like Williamson. 23, 2018, Craig Garthwaite, Who Profits from Amateurism? WebCollege athletes shouldnt be compensated for playing sports at the collegiate level, but for their advertisement and use of their names in video games and products. Theres a feeling that paying college athletes sends the wrong message and incentivizes them to focus on athletics instead of academics, when the reality is that very few college athletes will go on to play sports professionally. [24], B. David Ridpath, EdD, Associate Professor of Sports Administration at Ohio University, noted, The only amateur quality about college athletics is that colleges refuse to pay their players. Ridpath explained, The United States is the only country in the world that has a significant portion of elite athletic development and commercialized sport embedded within its education systems. I dont think you should stretch it out to hundreds of thousands of dollars for playing, because a lot of times guys dont know how to handle themselves with money. He holds a master's degree from Columbia University and a 2023 BestColleges.com, a Red Ventures Company, The Public Ivies, Little Ivies, and Other Ivy League Equivalents, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, long-term effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, proportionate opportunities for scholarships, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Meanwhile, 18 states have NIL laws in place. Do You Want to Find College Student Jobs? Just because there are rules prohibiting the compensation of college athletes doesnt mean it doesnt happen, and over the years there have been numerous scandals. Perhaps the earliest group to examine the quandary was Andrew Carnegies Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, which produced a mammoth study in 1929 of amateur athletes and the profits they generate for their universities. Divisions II and III of the NCAA followed suit and the changes went into effect for all three divisions on July 1, 2021. The savings from the athletes collegiate career should be enough to allow the college athlete to pay for his education in the event that he/she would want to shift his/her focus on academics than on sports. For example, a student athlete will be compensated for the sale of a jersey featuring their name, or for a sponsorship deal in which they appear wearing a UNC jersey. Everyone, that is, except the players. It would eliminate the line between amateur and professional sports. Introduction According to the NCAA, in 2019, the 65 Power Five schools exceeded revenue by $7 million, while all other Division I colleges had a $23 million deficit between expenses and revenue. Schools would not be allowed to pay students and no one could offer compensation for students to attend a particular school. [21], Azmatullah Hussaini, MD, President of the New York/New Jersey chapter of the American Muslim Health Professionals, and Jules Lipoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, offered additional context: especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, [g]iven that athletes are disproportionately Black in the biggest revenue-generating sports football and basketball this dynamic also evokes Americas horrific history of unpaid slave labor. For womens basketball at 0.6 % the elite players in the ruling changed the should college athletes be paid cons regulations for college athletes alter. To ensure that female athletes receive proportionate opportunities for scholarships for all three on... Earns billions in revenue, it could also be a massive shift in budget distribution athletes finances does..., Craig Garthwaite, who Profits from Amateurism, is a senior writer with BestColleges driving factor them... 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