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They get plenty of economic benefit from the colleges themselves so they're already getting paid. However, they shouldn't also be penalized from making a few bucks on the side selling autographs or whatever by the people who are making huge money off their accomplishments and likenesses.
College sports have largely become a multi-million dollar 'big business' at most schools. While top student athletes often receive full/partial scholarships, there is a major time investment and expectation ... which significantly reduces available school/study time. Although many of these student-athletes might not otherwise attend college ... an appalling number who actually do graduate before their eligibility runs-out, seem to come-away with nominal, low-income-producing majors/degrees.
An extremely small percentage of all college athletes actually go on to play professional sports ... in spite of the myth that 'everyone is moving toward the pros' -- On top of that, many actual pro prospects, have their careers ended by injuries, before they even start -- while an even greater number of the non-pro-caliber athletes sustain college injuries that they carry through life.
IMO, many college athletes are essentially exploited for their contribution to the significant financial gain of the university. I'm not convinced that college sports should be dominated by 'professional athletes,' but, it seems like there should be some type of 'revenue sharing' among the athletes. (Perhaps an escrow account that would pay-out when the athlete leaves the university?).
The "revenue sharing" as you put it - is that the high profile revenue sports bring in the money to support all the women's sports that are mandated by the government. Basketball/Football/Baseball also support swimming, tennis, gold ... whatever. It's hard enough for these College athletes to deal with the rigor of high profile sports and an attempt to get an education, without turning them "pro" way before they are emotionally ready for it. The NCAA and College leadership needs to keep a closer eye on what is going on with their sports programs ..... PERIOD.
They're going to school to play on scholarships... their payment is their free tuition as well as perks. They're working towards their professional career... they should absolutely NOT be paid.
While you may believe that (I am not for them being paid either), some of your comments are factually wrong.
For instance, you assume all athletes are on scholarship which is definitely not true. Many are either walk on's, or not receiving a dime, having nothing more than a spot on the team. Lets take D1 baseball players for example. The schools are allowed to have a maximum of 35 players, with only 27 allowed to travel for away games. Furthermore, out of 35 players, only a mere 11.7 are receiving any money whatsoever.
You second mistake is assuming they are on full rides. Using baseball again, most players that receive any money at all only have a fraction of their tuition paid for. The reason is that 11.7 can be divided up among more than 11 players, but must at least be a 25% scholarship. So if you add up the numbers, you will see that most get fractions, and at least 8 receive nothing.
You also say they receive perks, but unless you are talking 5:00am strength and conditioning before classes, they are not lavished with cars, money, women, etc. like in the movies.
Any of that assumed stuff would be an NCAA violation and subject them to permanently losing their eligibility to participate in college athletics. So if anything, the burdens and time requirements for a D1 athlete are greater than that of the average student. When kids are on spring break, the baseball team is playing their regular season. When school lets out for the year, the team must continue to play even if they have no shot at the playoffs.
Granted football and to a certain extent basketball are fully funded, and some of those guys do abuse the privilege of playing sports in college.
However most of the minor sports, and even the other bigger ones like baseball do not have free rides, perks, nor an easy time working toward their chosen major.
While you may believe that (I am not for them being paid either), some of your comments are factually wrong.
For instance, you assume all athletes are on scholarship which is definitely not true. Many are either walk on's, or not receiving a dime, having nothing more than a spot on the team. Lets take D1 baseball players for example. The schools are allowed to have a maximum of 35 players, with only 27 allowed to travel for away games. Furthermore, out of 35 players, only a mere 11.7 are receiving any money whatsoever.
You second mistake is assuming they are on full rides. Using baseball again, most players that receive any money at all only have a fraction of their tuition paid for. The reason is that 11.7 can be divided up among more than 11 players, but must at least be a 25% scholarship. So if you add up the numbers, you will see that most get fractions, and at least 8 receive nothing.
You also say they receive perks, but unless you are talking 5:00am strength and conditioning before classes, they are not lavished with cars, money, women, etc. like in the movies.
Any of that assumed stuff would be an NCAA violation and subject them to permanently losing their eligibility to participate in college athletics. So if anything, the burdens and time requirements for a D1 athlete are greater than that of the average student. When kids are on spring break, the baseball team is playing their regular season. When school lets out for the year, the team must continue to play even if they have no shot at the playoffs.
Granted football and to a certain extent basketball are fully funded, and some of those guys do abuse the privilege of playing sports in college.
However most of the minor sports, and even the other bigger ones like baseball do not have free rides, perks, nor an easy time working toward their chosen major.
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Maybe if you aren't good enough to get a full ride you can pay out of pocket, get good grades, and do loans like the general population.
Many in the general population make ALL their decisions based solely on finances and risk/reward.
Football and men's basketball have to make enough for the sports department to pay for the other lesser sports.
That is what it boils down to. That is why all these conferences are re aligning as schools are looking for the best payout. It's a shame as many old rivalries are gone. Paying the athletes won't do anything to change that though but if you want to get the athletes you better have top notch facilities to get em on campus and that costs a lot of dough. Or have T Boone Pickens build it for ya.
Guys get paid under the table all the time still I'm sure. Except for Eric Dickerson. He never took any money at SMU. lol
No, I do not think they should be paid. However, I simply do not understand why they can't sell a shirt or ring that is now their personal property. I also think if they are eligible for work study because of financial need that they should be able to work for the athletic department, which can work around their schedule, and be paid at the same rate as other work study kids. My son had a friend that had a full ride scholarship for football, so all his tutition, books, room and board were covered, but the kid had no money to go to a movie or out on a date, or even cover things like shampoo. He couldn't hold a job like other non-athlete kids. I felt bad for him and occasionally sent him gift cards.
They get plenty of economic benefit from the colleges themselves so they're already getting paid. However, they shouldn't also be penalized from making a few bucks on the side selling autographs or whatever by the people who are making huge money off their accomplishments and likenesses.
I agree with this. NCAA sure makes tons of money profiting off the individual athletes so I find it ludicrous to disallow athletes from doing the same.
College sports have largely become a multi-million dollar 'big business' at most schools. While top student athletes often receive full/partial scholarships, there is a major time investment and expectation ... which significantly reduces available school/study time. Although many of these student-athletes might not otherwise attend college ... an appalling number who actually do graduate before their eligibility runs-out, seem to come-away with nominal, low-income-producing majors/degrees.
An extremely small percentage of all college athletes actually go on to play professional sports ... in spite of the myth that 'everyone is moving toward the pros' -- On top of that, many actual pro prospects, have their careers ended by injuries, before they even start -- while an even greater number of the non-pro-caliber athletes sustain college injuries that they carry through life.
IMO, many college athletes are essentially exploited for their contribution to the significant financial gain of the university. I'm not convinced that college sports should be dominated by 'professional athletes,' but, it seems like there should be some type of 'revenue sharing' among the athletes. (Perhaps an escrow account that would pay-out when the athlete leaves the university?).
If college football players are being exploited, please allow Stanford to exploit my future son.
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in essence they are getting paid to do not much else but athletics.
