[11], Additionally, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear a case (National Collegiate Athletic Association v. Shawne Alston, et al.) Or is a college scholarship and other non-monetary perks like the opportunity to play in front of cheering fans enough? The NCAA is seemingly the final authority to decide whether college athletes should be paid to play college sports. [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. That's why some colleges, such as the University of Southern California and Stanford University, opposed the bill. Against this backdrop, here are both sides of the issue. Paying student-athletes would help eliminate the need for these student-athletes to take out loans, burden their families for monetary support, or add employment to their already busy schedules. Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, stated, traditions alone cannot justify the NCAAs decision to build a massive money-raising enterprise on the backs of student athletes who are not fairly compensated. As it stands, NCAA athletes are allowed to receive scholarships that cover their college tuition and Here Are Some Pros and Cons HuffPost, Should College Athletes Be Paid? Per N.C.A.A. The odds are even lower for womens basketball at 0.6%. And under ordinary principles of antitrust law, it is not evident why college sports should be any different. Check out these other CollegeVine articles for ideas: History of the Debate: Should College Athletes Be Paid? As of June 10, 2021, 18 states have passed NIL laws; five more states have passed bills that were awaiting the governors signature to become law; 14 states have introduced NIL bills; and one state has a bill passed by the Senate and awaiting a House vote, according to the Business of College Sports. NCAA mens basketball players have even slimmer odds of playing in a major professional league (1.2%), while the chances of a professional career are particularly grim for women basketball players, at a mere 0.8%. Further confusing the issue, the NCAA does not have a consistent or fair definition of amateurism and allows some significant forms of financial compensation. Although the odds of a college athlete turning pro are low, the probability of them earning a degree is high, thanks in part to the academic support athletes are given. 1, 2021), Dan Murphy and Adam Rittenberg, NCAA Delays Vote to Change College Athlete Compensation Rules, espn.com, Jan. 11, 2021, Sarah Polus, NCAA Tables Name, Image and Likeness Vote after DOJ Warns of Potential Antitrust Violations, thehill.com, Jan. 12, 2021, Adam Liptak, Supreme Court to Rule on N.C.A.A. How should the NCAA (or another governing body) balance college athletes sport, educational, and financial interests? The rest are termed "equivalency sports," which receive lump sums that are allocated among players according to a coach's determination. That means athletes who are exceptionally skilled at not-so-popular sports, such as swimming and softball, would not be given a chance to complete their studies through sponsorship and scholarship programs by the NCAA. ProCon.org. Assuming a free-market system, the chasm between the haves and have-nots would widen even further. The reason why student athletes are not 2. On a side note, this would incentivize athletes to complete their degree, making them more employable after the end of their athletic career. From a students point of view, paying college athletes will alter their college experience. Everyone around them makes money, but the students responsible for generating revenue receive nothing. 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. Pending further testing, the general sense is that Williamson and Duke, and Nike, which made the shoe had avoided the worst. Williamson fell backward in a split, grabbing his right knee. Last modified on January 21, 2022. 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. National College Players Association (NCPA), 52 Argumentative Essays Ideas that are Actually Interesting, 52 Persuasive Speech Topics That Are Actually Engaging, 20 Biology Internships for High School Students in 2023, 20 High School Internships in Boston in 2023, 15 Scholarships for High School Freshmen in 2023, Coca-Cola Scholarship: How To Apply and What You Need to Know, What relation has this astonishing athletic display to the work of an intelligence agency like a university?, How do students, devoted to study, find either the time or the money to stage so costly a performance?. 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. Mark J. Drozdowski, Ed.D., is a senior writer with BestColleges. You dont have to get past the preface to find questions that feel at home in todays world: Many of the questions asked way back in 1929 continue to resurface today, and many of them have eventually ended up seeking answers in court. 8, 2020, Steve Goldstein, Nine out of 10 New Jobs Are Going to Those with a College Degree, marketwatch.com, June 5, 2018, Gallup, A Study of NCAA Student-Athletes: Undergraduate Experiences and Post-College Outcomes, gallup.com, 2020, Greta Anderson, Study: College Athletes Have Better Academic, Life Outcomes, insiderhighered.com, June 24, 2020, Griffin Connolly, Wealth distribution is bad except when it comes to college athletes' money, top Republican senator suggests, theindependent.co.uk, Sep. 15, 2020, B. David Ridpath, A Path Forward for Reforming College Sports, jamesgmartin.center, Jan. 15, 2020, Molly Hensley-Clancy, NCAA Vows to Improve Conditions at Womens Basketball Tournament, as Outcry Continues, washingtonpost.com, Mar. 1 overall pick and earn a multimillion-dollar contract? Or would you sit out the rest of the college season and enter the N.B.A. That's not likely. However, in 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Fair Play Act that allows college athletes to hire agents, sign endorsement deals, and be paid for the use of their likeness. ", Further, the NCAA stipulates, "You are not eligible in any sport if, after collegiate enrollment, you accept any pay for promoting a commercial product or service or allow your name or picture to be used for promoting a commercial product or service.". Will the All-American point guard get the same amount as the captain of the swim team? 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. A 2019 Seton Hall Sports Poll found that 60% of those surveyed agreed that college athletes should be allowed compensation for their name, image, and/or likeness, while 32% disagreed, and 8% were unsure. Some are calling him the next LeBron James. 2. A 2011 study published by the National College Players Association (NCPA) found that an overwhelming number of students on full athletics scholarships live below the federal poverty line85% of athletes who live on campus and 86% athletes who live off-campus. Does this rule apply to payment structures, too, though? WebJim Putman & Aubrey Badlam ENGL101- Prof. Yu College Athletes Should Be Paid To Play One of the biggest debates in sports is whether college athletes also referred to, as student-athletes should be paid to play their sport. Takeaway: For the NCAA, student-athletes should be playing sports with education as its primary driver. This isnt something new. Introduction A weighty argument against paying college athletes is that not all sports are popular. Over the years we have seen and heard scandals involving players taking money and even point-shaving. Everyone, that is, except the players. Its hard to ignore the racist undertones when the financial benefit to these institutions is based on the unpaid work of young Black men. [22], The NCAA requires players to have health insurance but does not pay for that insurance and can refuse to pay medical expenses for sports injuries, some of which can have life-long consequences for the players bodies and career opportunities. Even if a student receives a full-ride scholarship, the award doesn't provide pocket money for incidentals and entertainment. 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. Additionally, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear a case (National Collegiate Athletic Association v. Shawne Alston, et al.) The first reason is college athletes put their bodies on the line and risk injury to entertain people. A decision is expected in June 2021. Title IX stipulates that colleges must provide equal opportunities for male and female athletes. College athletics provide big benefits for many schools: they increase their profile, generate millions of dollars in revenue, and have led to one of the most contentious questions in sports should college athletes be paid? Why, They Already Are Sports Illustrated, Theres No Crying in College: The Case Against Paying College Athletes Bleacher Report. The main argument in favor of paying college athletes is that they bring in a large net amount of revenue to their schools. They give out 13 scholarships. College athletes make their schools millions of dollars, so they should naturally receive a cut of the action. One of the primary arguments against paying student-athletes rests on the assumption that they already receive full college scholarships. WebTwo writers take opposing sides in the debate over paying college athletes 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. 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. 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 Sometimes money is needed. The Department of Education reported that college athletic programs collected $14 billion in total revenue in 2019, up from $4 billion in 2003. At this point, the debate over whether college athletes should be paid really doesn't change anything. Some argue student-athletes are "paid" through full scholarships, something most college students can only dream about and that's partially true. 3. Our peer review tool allows you to receive feedback and learn the strengths and weaknesses of your essay for free. Not likely from the school itself. [32] Discrepancies between mens and womens sports such as the weight room during the 2021 NCAA basketball tournament would only worsen. Its a legitimate question, said Ramogi Huma, the founder and president of the College Athletes Players Association, an advocate for players rights. Is it because its unnecessary? 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? Data analyzed from the Department of Labor showed nine out of 10 new jobs were going to employees with college degrees in June 2018. and shoe companies like Nike are taking advantage of college athletes like Williamson? WebPro According to N.C.A.A. Respondents were split 50/50 in a June 1, 2021 New York Times survey about whether the NCAA strictly limiting paid compensation is constitutional. Takeaway: College is expensive. 1, 2021], Jessica Gresko, High Court Agrees to Hear NCAA Athlete Compensation Case, nsjonline.com, Dec. 16, 2020, Daniel Roberts, Poll: 60% of Americans Support College Athletes Getting Paid Endorsements, finance.yahoo.com, Oct. 8, 2019, NCPA, NCAA Refusal to Vote on NIL Pay Is Slap in the Face to Athletes, ncpanow.org, Jan. 11, 2021, Bloomberg, The NCAA Raked in Over $1 Billion Last Year, fortune.com, Mar. It would only be fair to compensate for this loss of knowledge with a decent revenue. Paying college athletes would not solve the real problem: the American amateur sports system is broken. All throughout the athletic department, people are making six-figure salaries. The NCAA, colleges, and universities profit unfairly from the work and likenesses of college athletes. [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. Explain your answer. WebCon 2: Not Every Sports Team Brings in the Same Value True: The majority of money generated by the NCAA goes to scholarships for Division I and II athletes evenly. 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. And spare me the theyre being extorted thing. They are, get over it!. Not So Much. These also happen to be the highest revenue-generating sports in college athletics. At 6 feet 7 inches and 285 pounds, Williamson, a freshman basketball player at Duke University, is impressing fans with his combination of size, strength and leaping ability. Takeaway: College athletes learn less than regular students. During this years NCAA tournament, there has been obvious speculation about college athletes and the significant amount of revenue they have been bringing to their schools and the NCAA. 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 In what's called "head count" sports i.e., Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) football and Division I basketball for men, and Division I basketball, tennis, volleyball, and gymnastics for women students receive full athletic scholarships covering tuition and fees, room and board, and books. Should college athletes be paid? With March Madness less than a month away, his injury has revived an age-old question: Should college athletes be paid? A February 2020 USA Today article found that the average total pay for Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football head coaches in 2020-21 was $2.7 million. Similarly, will compensation take into account talent? Whatever it may be, it looks like this growing debate wont be dying down anytime soon. Ed OBannon, a former professional basketball player, won a lawsuit in 2014 where the NCAA was ordered to pay $44.4 million in attorneys fees and another $1.5 million in costs to lawyers for the plaintiffs in the Ed OBannon class-action antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA. Everyone Loves to Watch Zion Williamson Play. 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. Listen, 90 percent of these college guys are gonna spend it on tats, weed, kicks, Xboxes, beer and swag. Paying student-athletes turns them into professionals and sullies the purity of amateur athletic competition. In a unanimous decision issued on June 21, 2021, the Supreme Court ruled the NCAA cannot bar universities from making education-related payments to student-athletes. Go to ProCon.org to learn more. White People? That is, should Williamson elect to return. I feel like a student athlete. Explore the NCAA site and think critically about the organization as the governing body of college athletics. 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. If college students challenge this prohibition, they will no longer be qualified to participate in any of the events organized by the NCAA. The Fair Pay to Play Act would enable athletes at California schools earning more than $10 million in annual media revenue to make money from their likenesses and hire agents without losing eligibility. 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. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Just 1.6% of college football players will take an NFL field. A 2017 NCAA survey revealed that Division I athletes dedicate an average of 35 hours per week to their sport during the season. In short, most college athletes on scholarships aren't receiving a full ride. Nathan Brunner is a labor market expert. The age-old debate over whether college athletes should get paid is still alive and well. 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