Athletes in College Struggle to Make Ends Meet. Paying students would just increase competition in the sport. Athletics revenue is not automatically reinvested in education and research. Because of the status and fame of their sports teams, colleges recruit top talent in both academics and sports. But, Will NCAA Players Get Paid?
The College Sports Apparel Market Is Focused on the Players Top coaches are well compensated. A salary would assist student-athletes in learning how to manage their finances. Payment would allow athletes to graduate with more than just a diploma. The NCAA is an 11-billion-dollar business.
Football scholarship at a prestigious university Football, especially during the season, can consume all of a passionate player’s attention. They would end up having very little time for school and eventually dropping out after four years. The NCAA players do not get paid but should be compensated because: College athletes devote an average of 43.3 hours per week to their sport.
College Athletes at NCAA
College athletics is a FULL-TIME occupation. These athletes cannot work a second job. It is not feasible. The idea that these athletes are not compensated is absurd. These athletes are used as commission-only salespeople who are then not paid their commission.
I believe athletes should be compensated if they “declare” pro sports as their major. It’s no different than studying a skill or being paid to be an intern as a doctor, dentist, or musician. But it will not happen. Because of labor regulations and Title 9 responsibilities, not because it should. Athletes would be deemed employees under labor regulations.
This would allow them to sue the school and anybody else involved for anything and everything under the sun. From disability to unemployment, attorneys could come up with anything. You might have athletes who played for a Utah school but are claiming disability because they played a game against a California school.
In essence, our country’s litigious propensity will prevent athletes from being paid until some lawyer figures out how to win a case that pushes the issue. As a result, schools will be forced to remove additional sports.
Playoffs at NCAA
And what about a playoff? The NCAA does not influence football playoffs. They practically handed up control to the BCS. However, we are working hard to provide an alternative. It’s doubly awful because the best schools then make significant income based almost completely on the players’ abilities. But I maintain that perspective because I place high importance on personal liberty.
To be fair to the NCAA, they are not enslaving anyone. Athletes can pick alternative opportunities or leave and go, then some do especially after a certain age because of a restriction on age rules in the pro leagues.
These athletes are practically extorted by their college programs for them to possibly be selected in the National Football League draft and then be lowballed coming out of college after the last collective bargaining agreement….and then suffer brain damage in their later years if and only if they do not suffer career-ending injuries. Please sign me up!!! Not to mention that the NFL is now classed as a not-for-profit organization and is no longer subject to taxation!
The NCAA has a stranglehold on providing athletes to the NBA and NFL. This has remained consistent for a long time, and NBA age limitations have helped to maintain it, while the propensity for the greatest players to depart as soon as possible has had an impact. In hockey, Canada lacks this, and players begin playing professionally considerably earlier in their careers. Unless you make the NHL, the salary isn’t tremendous, but it’s more than an NCAA scholarship.
Challenges faced by NCAA Players
It is challenging for these players to pursue serious degree programs, which are not routinely monitored, while still meeting their sporting obligations. Many of the recruiters are from low-income households that need the money.
The issue is that you’re opening Pandora’s Box. When you start paying these youngsters, everything becomes about money. One may argue that it is already the case. Do you want programs bidding for Blue Chip athletes who could make a lot of money? Do you mix paid and unpaid work? This also raises concerns. Would you have any restrictions on the number of paid players, which would most likely lead to team issues?
Are the NCAA abusing young players because they don’t know any better and are pursuing the pro dream via the NCAA? Yes, they are, but it is nothing out of the ordinary for a private company. If you’re looking for a solution, break the monopoly. It is a difficult endeavor, but it is surely doable.
No, but they should be compensated in the form of investment. How are hundreds of millions of dollars in television income comparable to a student’s tuition? Not to mention that these colleges pay NO TAXES!!! That’s a different discussion, but why aren’t these colleges paying taxes? We should tax billions of dollars, and wealthy colleges should not be immune from making concessions.
Compensation for NCAA Players
In terms of compensation for participation in sponsored bowl games, one method that which players are “paid” is through gift suites provided by the sponsors to participating teams. David Broughton highlighted the following presents that footballers may get in an article published in the Sports Business Journal:
The NCAA authorizes each bowl to pay up to $550 in prizes to 125 players from each institution. Schools can, and nearly often do, purchase additional kits to deliver to participants who exceed the 125 limits. In addition, for postseason participation, players can win up to $400 in school and $400 in conference rewards for both conference title games and any bowl game.
They are paid, and the remuneration is terrible. Almost all of the good players take the job anyhow since it is their best option.
Conclusion
The best players typically accept the better choice of becoming pros and collecting endorsements as soon as the opportunity arises. Most athletes do not have that choice, and while it would be ideal if they could negotiate a revenue split while in college, and/or be permitted to pursue endorsements or other alternative money, it does not appear that they have the bargaining leverage to do so.
