Should College Athletes Get Paid?

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Recommended: College student athletes compensation annotated bibliography supporting ideas

Unpaid athletes, overpaid coaches, and revenue from merchandise are a big

business in college athletics. Colleges make millions off of ticket sales, memorabilia,

and television contracts and don’t allow the athletes to see any of it. Athletes’ risk

career-ending injuries every time they step out to play or practice. In addition, players

for these colleges have to manage academic and athletic requirements, but don’t see

any extra money. These extra requirements can include such things as honors classes,

community service and service projects. While some of the athletes do receive

scholarships, it sometimes isn’t enough to pay for housing and tuition. Some people

may wonder if college athletes should get a share of the profits. Opponents think the

athletes should not be paid because they already receive money in the form of

scholarships and free travel to and from games. Supporters believe athletes should get

paid because they risk a lot and do a lot to bring in revenue for these colleges. Should

college athletes get paid?

Scholarships are already given to athletes; what more do they need? Some of

the athletes, especially for football and basketball, receive a full-ride scholarship which

means their education is paid for and they still want more money. Donaldson points out,

“the “payment” that the student-athlete receives for being a scholarship athlete is a full

ride athletic scholarship that includes tuition, room and board . . . also receiving a

monthly stipend that can range anywhere from $500-$1,000 for basic expenses (food

and gas money)” (pg. 4 of 7). Some athletes are receiving as much as $50,000 a year

including books, tutoring, and access to fitness centers. According to Chen, high sc...

... middle of paper ...

...but not giving them any part of the profit. These athletes are seen as

entertainment and many think of it as only being a game and don’t understand what it

takes to be a college athlete. They don’t understand that being a college athlete is their

job. Colleges make millions off of ticket sales, memorabilia, and television contracts and

don’t allow the athletes to see any of it. Athletes’ risk career-ending injuries every time

they play or practice their sport for these colleges, in addition to managing an academic

and athletic schedule without seeing any extra money. While some of the athletes do

receive scholarships, it sometimes isn’t enough to pay for housing and tuition. Jackson

says, “We need to stop looking at college as it relates to athletics as an educational

aperture and look at it for what it has become: a business platform” (pg. 3 of 4).

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