The quest for greater revenues and T.V exposure to a seismic
shift in college football with top programs Texas and Oklahoma possibly on the
move to the Pac-10 to create a mega conference and to bring in mega dollars for
those institutions have re-opened the discussion of whether students athletes
should be provided compensation for competing in sports. The reason why this
topic has been re-opened is simple, there are some people who think that with
all the money that these schools bring in during the season they should be able
to provide the players with some form of spending to pay for things they may
need.
Some would argue that providing athletes with a stipend provide
less opportunity for boosters to come in and make an offer for easy money to
your player. Coaches wouldn't have to worry about their players getting
work-study jobs to make a little money during the off-season, players can give
a better effort with incentive and will also be more rested and have more time
to be in the weight room.
With every positive, there is a negative. For example, paying a
player will create a jealousy factor among students who are not athletes and
then you have to figure in what athletes get paid because it would be difficult
to pay every athlete because most schools have a multitude of different
sports.
Trust me - there are a LOT of additional pro and con arguments
for this topic. To be quite honest, I had to resist going on a tangent
here and presenting a number of them, for as I was typing this up, my head
began to swim with pro and con arguments (ya know, those little guys in my head
are going to argue this one ALL NIGHT long... I'll never get any sleep!)
Blog Topic Question This Week: Dah! I think it's
pretty obvious! Should college athletes be paid? It really does
look like a simple question - but looks can be deceiving!!!
Happy Blogging!
SPECIAL NOTE: This week's blog topic was provided by Lady Maya. If any
of you have an interesting topic you'd like for us to discuss, drop me an
email! If it's a good one, I'll post it!
I do not think that college athletes should be paid. The main reason why this isn’t a good idea is because these players are still amateurs. If college athletes were to be paid it would undermine the skill of professional athletes. College sports are supposed to be about sportsmanship between colleges, not salaries. Another big problem with the idea is that it is unfair for the less popular sports that do not have enough money to fund salaries and to the colleges with lesser funds. They would not be able to compete with some of the salaries other colleges are offering. Student-athletes will only be attracted to universities that pay high for their skill, not academics. And also how would it be determined how much each athlete gets paid? Do athletes with better performance get more pay than other members of the team? And maybe the most important argument against this issue is that paying college athletes would deviate the students from wy they are in college in the first place; to get a degree.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think the major point here is that colleges with more funding will just cycle through championship seasons. It will come down to whoever has the most money, not the best recruiting techniques or NFL placement.
DeleteI knew someone was going to point out the fact these athletes are amateurs, which is so far from the truth. If they were amateurs, they would not be filling up 100,000-seat stadiums, having their faces in sports illustrated magazines, Characters in video games, and massive recruiting budgets. Also if they were amateurs they wouldn’t have their own special dining halls, dorms and be escorted to their classes by security guards. These student athletes are celebrities on campus.
DeleteI also agree. Many of these athletes are already getting full or significant partial scholarships to play sports at these colleges. They really don't need to be getting paid on top of that.
ReplyDelete(this was a reply to Maya's post)
DeleteOut of the 20 million students who attend college annually, 60 percent must borrow money to attend. Translation: Most college graduates will leave college with a diploma and the financial burden of a hefty college debt. However, almost every college athlete, unless they receive only a partial scholarship or are a walk-on athlete, will graduate free of debt. That statistic alone is a reason why college athletes don't need to be paid.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention, playing a sport for a major university offers athletes the chance to meet high-level boosters and make contacts that could turn into a potential job if sports don't work out after graduation.
The NCAA has commercials that state that "most college athletes go pro in something besides sports." Having the opportunity to make lasting contacts with donors and boosters while representing the school, a student-athlete has an incredible opportunity/advantage to receive a high-profile job right out of college. The athlete can end up working for one of those big donors to the school who remembers the achievements made by that athlete during their college sports career.
College athletics are somewhat like an extended family. Multiple generations of a family might go to a particular school, making connections at fraternities and sororities that will be beneficial for the rest of their professional life. If a college athlete is smart and knows how to play their cards right, they'll do everything possible to get internships at companies owned by donors to their university that will give them experience in case those professional dreams don't materialize.
All of this is why it's unnecessary to pay college athletes. Basically, they have it made in life if they make the right connections while at college. Even if their dreams as a professional athlete don't come true, they can always fall back on the opportunites extended to them.
I completely agree with what you are saying. College athletes receive many other advantages by playing their sports such as a free education. However, how do you feel about the NCAA making a rest amount of money by selling products after college players?
DeleteI agree; while many athletes may play excellently and maybe even deserve to be paid, it is not needed. Most, like you said, receive scholarships that cover their tuition, leaving them free of debt and no need to be paid.
DeleteYeah this translates even to the major leagues. Im sorry, but these guys get paid WAY too much. It takes away from the quality of the game.
DeleteAbu, even though the NCAA does make money off their products, I think it's completely justified. These kids are getting full rides to school; that's already tens of thousands of dollars more in their pockets than those students who aren't offered athletic scholarships. They don't need to make any money. They don't have student loans to pay, don't have to worry about paying for their dorms, etc. I honestly think that the only way colleges could get away with paying their athletes would be if they were to get rid of athletic scholarships all together, and make the athletes pay for their own equipment, including uniforms.
DeleteI hands down agree with you. Why pay athletes, who are guaranteed free valuable education. I mean, really that is their ultimate compensation right there. "free" everything.
DeleteMelissa, I agree. You brought up points that I didn’t include in my original post. The point you made about how students with relatives who were alumnii at colleges is accurate. They have many more oppurtunites than those who do not have connections. So why would a college athlete need more benefits? A huge salary in addition to connections would make other students feel inferior. SOCIAL EQUALITY FOR ALL!
DeleteWhile I do believe college atheletes work hard enough to deserve to be paid, they should not receive compensation. College athletes are involved in sports either because of tuition-covering scholarships, recreation, or to move on to become professional atheletes. They (the students hoping to achieve professional status) are there to play as hard as they can to appeal to the big leagues. Receiving money would only depreciate their charisma; the NFL would assume they are only in it for the money. Also, how would player be paid? Would it based on points, goals, touchdowns, slam-dunks, backstrokes, or any other sports mumbo-jumbo I don't understand? And also, why should only college atheletes be considered? There are many highschool athletes that excel and break records and they aren't paid. So...there ya go. *drops the mic*
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement that "Receiving money would only depreciate their charisma" and to add to that, I believe that if these athletes are paid, then they wouldn't have that drive that they have to be better.
DeleteJaimie you said that you do not think athletes should be compenstated at all. I do not agree with you because many college students work hard to practice a sport in college and do not get any compensation because they may not be good enough to get a scholarship. Its not fair that they put them through grueling hours of practice, on top of school, and also those students who do not get anything might have families who cannot afford college, so ontop of that they have to work.
DeleteWell Jamie the main reason the argument for college players should get paid and not high school players is because College players are used to make money. They are used on jerseys and video games, and they get no compensation or money for having their names on these items. That distinguishes the high school player from the college player. And I'm guessing they would pay college athletes the same way the NFL or NBA pays their professional athletes.
DeleteI too agree with your statement that "Receiving money would only depreciate their charisma", because as chriz said, athletes will not strive to do better, if they were paid, and improvement will not occur. College athletes yet have some to learn. Also, athletes will be drawn to colleges that will pay them money in return of their performance instead when it really should be based moslty on academics.
Delete(Reply to Maya's Post, wasn't working)
ReplyDeleteI did not even consider how or if less popular sports athletes would be paid for their achievments. Football players would most definitely be paid more money than curlers..who are curlers? Exactly. It's the sport where you sweep the ice around a stone. I also agree that adding money to college sports would direct the athletes attention away from working hard and obtaining a degree. The enticement from being paid would give professional teams the impression that athletes are only playing for the paycheck.
James, I enjoyed your witty humor with the example of the curlers.
DeleteJames, as for your statement "The enticement from being paid would give professional teams the impression that athletes are only playing for the paycheck." I agree with you that getting paid would leave the impression that athletes are only after the cash and not the game. As an athlete their main priority should be the game and to get better every single time they play. They shouldn't focus on the money but they should focus on improvement and on being the best. Thus, another reason why college athletes shouldn't get paid.
DeleteSo, I definitely do not think College Athletes should be paid, and there are a whole bunch of reasons why. Firstly, I agree with Melissa, that this is just plain unfair to regular people. A majority of kids borrow money to get a higher education, and now some bozo with a good-arm will get to make millions, while the average Joe will have to graduate in debt. Next, this will completely dilute college sports. One way, is that college drafts will be just like NFL drafts, with people making bids based on pay checks. Next, kids will be CONSTANTLY transferring schools, always going for the highest bidder. Also, Ivy League schools will make a killing, and dominate the league forever, because they will have the most money to spend on players. While this is already an issue, a pay-the-players policy will only make it worse. You are gonna have kids going into college getting paid literal millions to go to college, only to get paid more millions in the NFL. As much as talent deserves compensation, this is just plain unfair. Especially to less talented athlete, who are going to get diddly squat. This also dilutes the whole point of college, which is to work your way to a better paying job through a degree.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree with your post, I disagree with your point about the Ivy Leagues dominating sports. I would think that schools in the SEC or the Big Ten would be more likely to dominate, since they have the better and more well-funded athletic programs, as well as more fans of their sports teams.
Delete"Also, Ivy League schools will make a killing, and dominate the league forever, because they will have the most money to spend on players. While this is already an issue..." This isn't an issue as much as you make it seem; however it will Definitely become one with the salaries considering ivy leagues amount of money to distribute to athletes. As off right now, however, Florida State Universities Football team the Seminals are undefeated heading into a national championship. However, this school doesn't even rank top 20 in schools that make revenue from sports. So Ivy leagues don't rule the sports as off right now.
DeleteNick you make a good point. The college draft would become just like the NFL draft. The students would only go to schools based on pay check. This system would probably become corrupt too. Students would take bribes from coaches to attend their schools. This can potentionally become a big mess.
DeleteCollege Athletes, as much as I appreciate their dedication, skills, and talents, I do not think that they should get paid. Although the NCAA makes tons of money out of these athletes, they are pretty much compensated with scholarships, a valuable education, and an exposure to possibilities in making it into national leagues like; NHL and NFL. No one could ever put a price-tag on education and the experience they get from playing for colleges. Also, almost all of these athletes graduate without owing anything. Unlike other students who graduate with thousands of dollars worth of balance. Thus, that alone is a major compensation for these athletes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post. They should not get paid but you stated that graduating college is with no debt is compensation enough, which i also agree with. In my post i said that they should get some time of compensation for their hard work and a free ride to college is just the right type of payment for them, if they get any.
DeleteI agree; the athletes are already being paid in terms of an education, tuition, and all that. And also, students are involved in sports are involved by choice.
DeleteI do not think that collage athletes should be paid directly. The main reason is because they have yet to experience the amount of work it takes to make that excessive amount of money. Also, as good as they may be, not all collage basketball players make it to the NBA because they simply do not “make the cut”. I do believe that they work very hard, and go through grueling training and practices, even when their season is over. College athletes should be compensated for their hard work like a devoted student to his grades is. They should get at least for food and board. The athletes understand how much work it takes to get the big leagues so they should get recompensed for that. But they have not gotten to the point where all their hard work has paid off yet. So I am against college athletes getting paid, but I am also against them not receiving any type of reward for their work thus far in their career.
ReplyDeleteI really really like your innovative idea of compensating the players for food and board because this a good resolution to a problem. Most of the athletes are penniless and live off of almost nothing. And unlike most of the other students, they can't work long hours due to practices and games.
DeleteJen, I mostly agree with you but that last statement "but I am also against them not receiving any type of reward for their work thus far in their career." made the extent of my agreement as mostly and not completely. It is because, the 'work' of these athletes are actually compensated by education, experience, and exposure. They are rewarded with something, no one could ever put a tag-price on. Getting enough experience and exposure would guarantee them possibilities of getting drafted to professional teams. Thus, that is their reward right there
DeleteJen a lot of them due get compensated for being a college athlete. A lot of athletes receive a scholarship to the school they are attending. Most college students end up with having to worry about debt, but not most college athletes. They are already being paid indirectly.
DeleteMany college athletes, especially big name schools, go through college nearly expense free. They are supplies with food already along with transportation and are most likely assisted if not payed for their board. So in addition to this them wanting salaries is absurd. Colleges don't need to pay their athletes any more then they do. After all, they receive enough already.
DeleteJen, I agree with you for the most part, but most athletes are rewarded. Attaining edcuation with full rides with no worries of having debt, is compesation for their work.
DeleteThis is a very tough issue to side on. However, I believe that it is better if college athletes aren’t paid. The main reason I say this is that how would we come up with the correct amounts to pay the athletes. College sports would just turn into a big complex business and would deteriorate the academic aspect of college. In addition, as Melissa mentioned, college athletes usually don’t have to pay for their education, which is an indirect way of paying them. Most people argue that how come the NCAA makes so much money off of using the player’s names to sell merchandise. However, I believe that this is a minor issue and that by signing up to be a college athlete you agree to such actions. Furthermore, the NCAA consists of many more teams and athletes than do the national leagues such as the NFL. It would be extremely difficult, almost impossible, for the NCAA and colleges to pay everyone. Many colleges also offer multiple sports and if all college athletes were to be paid, many colleges would probably decide to take these sports away.
ReplyDeleteI really like your post because you bring up several good points. However, college students should be compensted for their hard work. And i also agree with how it should not be made into franchise and how they should not make a buisness out of college students.
DeleteYou said that college sports would turn into a business, but the way I see it is that it already is a business. We have the NCAA who uses college athletes to make money off of, and in return the athletes get benefits such as scholarships and a chance to be discovered by the big people such as the NFL. Seems like a fair trade to me, and if we start paying the college athletes then it would complicate the system.
DeleteWe live in a capitalistic world, so as i mentioned in my original post Not everything is equal, not everything is fair.in our world. IF you are the reason your college program is making millions and millions of dollars you deserve a portion of the money due to your hard work.
DeleteWhile i do love watching college sports, and believe me when i say i love me some college football, i don't believe these athletes should be paid. I'm sorry Johnny Manziel :(. A lot of my fellow made great points on why; such as someone mentioning the majority of these students; and remember they are students, are going to school for FREE. Most get full rides and leave college absolutely debt free while many other students are trapped behind loans. Oh, but what about all the money they bring in for the school!? Huh, that means some right? These poor kids "all play no pay"! Yeah cry me a river. When these students apply for these school, not only do the schools pay for their entire college experience they are signing a contract! We are letting you come play for our school on our program for free, just perform. What more do they want? It's a trade-off and it may seem unfair but in reality this is the test for the "real world". Like for many students their college performance is the foundation on were they work athletes will be on where they play whether it be NFL, NBA, CFL... Blah. Do students get paid for acing classes? Does the number 1 student get a salary? Didn' think so. Also how do they define who gets what pay? Contracts would have to be made and would they depend on sports, positions, performance... what? Their also basically won't be a recruitment based on programs but money. Meaning as many of you said the richer schools will dominate the recruiting with the most money to offer. What people need to remember is that these kids aren't professionals. They are just student athletes in a college based program perfecting their skills to utilize later in life.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a good point when you say "Do students get paid for acing classes? Does the number 1 student get a salary?" You are correct because as you said athletes are just doing their jobs which they signed a contract to do. They shouldn't be paid just as excellent students shouldn't be.
DeleteI too like hwo you brought up ""Do students get paid for acing classes?" If athlets can get paid for doing well, then why can't students who get exceptional grades, get paid? Justin, I also agree that many students are stuck with large amounts of debt, and sport athletes are the ones debt free, with no worries. Like i said before their scolarship is good enough compensation for their exceptional performance.
DeleteJD I loved your post. "What people need to remember is that these kids aren't professionals." I agree...Giving salaries to college football would be like having another football league. It'd be like the amateur NFL. Most college teams have like one star player so how would the pay even be distributed??? The kids who are EXTREMELY talented do go on to successful careers in the NFL. So why do they need even more money in college??? Does what I'm saying make sense?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete"Do students get paid for acing classes? Does the number 1 student get a salary?" Well is this student generating and bring millions of dollars in revenue into the schools program? No. I understand they are working to receive these excellent grades but are they breaking legs, ankles, arms, collarbones and etc? Putting their bodies on the line every game? Didn't think so. If you and the program you are playing for makes so much why not get a share of it due to the fact you help earn that money.
DeleteKush; some students such as those in medical programs do much more to help others, by working in university hospitals. They work harder than those athletes, deal with more stressful situations than passing around a ball on a field, and they take much more rigorous courses than any athlete could be taking. Are you honestly going to say that a student who goes to school simply to pass a ball around on a court or field deserves to get paid, while a medical student taking the most difficult and demanding course of study, AND who works in the university hospital, during all hours and helping the sick and injured doesn't deserve to get paid??? These students are the brainy number 1's, and they DO do things to bring in revenue to a school, since as we all know, health care is one of the top businesses in the world.
DeleteMelissa, you are talking about stressful? Well Cade Foster, the embattled kicker for the University of Alabama missed a field goal for his team against Auburn. Guess what he received from fans all over the United States? Death threats. Also when did I ever say medical student don't deserve to be paid?
DeleteIt is just nonsense to think either a medical student or college athlete should be paid. Like really, are we going to start paying high school students for taking AP classes now? This is why it is called a pre-professional stage. It is also unnecessary. What is the use of using money if the incentive isn't needed? People will still want to go to medical school and play college sports. There is absolutely no need.
DeleteI simply brought up the example of medical students because Kush was saying that the only students who brought money into a school were the athletes. I am in no way in favor for medical students to be paid. I just used it as an example.
DeleteOkay; so i may not know a whole lot about college sports but one thing is for sure that these athletes don't deserve salaries. One thing to mention is they basically already get paid. These athletes receive full athletic scholarships which basically makes the entire four year experience expense free. On top of that that also receive amazing facilities like gyms, transportation, and free health care in case they get hurt. So do they want to trade all of that for a salary? I doubt it. Also which athletes are going to get paid anyway? You see this issue will create problems. Is it only the football and basketball teams who bring in the most money? Women teams also? What about volley ball and softball? How about the bowlers and chess players who receive scholarships as well. So there will be to much to deal with and soon enough other programs and clubs are going to expect to be paid. Who is going to pay for it anyway. Football might bring in a lot of money but what about smaller schools or universities who need to solve the issue on paying all athletes? Now I understand that they have their names being sold to the nation, but honestly I wouldn't care much if I had all these benefits and had my name known among a lot of people. I wouldn't even care if I was in a video game and did not get paid for it. This idea contains way to many cons compared to pros. That's why we must crush this revolution because overall it's being selfish.
ReplyDeleteSince i don't believe anyone else chose that college athletes should be paid, i am inclined to agree with you B! You make a good point though. College athletes aren't represented in video games because they would have to be compensated through contract. But in reality what's the big deal. They are already being paid or given so much money in respect to their education. Why do they need it in their wallets?
DeleteAlso, it kind of takes the love and drive out of the game. This concept is often shown in the sport of basketball. Many people prefer to watch college basketball over the NBA because the players often come off as if they don't even care since they get paid regardless.
DeleteThough I commend college athletics on their dedication, and hard work to strive to do their best, I do not think they should receive money in return. They have yet, to learn so much. Also if money distrusted in return of playing well, how much money will be given to each individual athletes? Sports teams are like family, in which too much competition should not arise, because if they does occur, clashing may occur during the game. College sports should only focus on sportsmanship and the enjoyment of playing the sport. Discrimination also comes into play, because it is unjust those sports that do not have the money to pay their athletes. Also, many students need to money to attain a higher education, whether it is loans, or any other source. But, college athletes usually have a full ride to college, debt free! I think a scholarship is a good enough compensation for their hard efforts.
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt, I believe College Athletes should be paid. Yes, many of these athletes are receiving a free education, which is one of the greatest advantages to being a student-athlete is that you get money to go to school. When I say College Athletes should be paid, I do not mean in sense of like professional athletes such as Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and etc.
ReplyDeleteWhy College Athletes should be paid? Let’s look at the numerical facts.
1. The NCAA and CBS signed a $10.8 billion television agreement over 14 years. Also the NCAA is considered a non-profit company. This means the NCAA and CBS/Turner Sports for March Madness between 2011 and 2024. The NCAA will be making almost $11 billion for three weekends of television per year. Also another deal was in placed with ESPN, a new four-year deal with ESPN that pays the BCS $500 million. If a portion of the money generated from these deals was set aside to provide a stipend to college athletes, how can you argue against paying the people who make the revenue possible in the first place?
2. Many of the players at the collegiate level come from rough and struggling upbringings. Many of them played sports because they thought that it was their one way out of a life of struggle. Many of these student athletes have struggled financially for their entire lives. To place them in a situation where they do the majority of the work and everyone else around them gets benefits and gets paid, then expect them to not accept benefits sounds bizarre. Many athletes then resort to selling drugs and illegal substances to make money and support their parents and siblings. A Louisiana native, D.J. Fluker grew to be one of the best offensive tackles in the SEC. But before he won multiple National Championships at Alabama, Fluker was living out of a car for weeks with his mother and siblings after they lost their home in Hurricane Katrina. If he was compensated for his play maybe he wouldn’t have to live out a car and can afford to provide a roof over his family’s head.
3. Payment to these athletes can decrease media scandals and allegations. When athletes do try to make money on the side, they and their programs get punished by the NCAA. The University of Georgia’s A.J. Green was suspended for four games in 2010 for selling his used game jersey to make extra cash. Last year, the Ohio State Buckeyes went undefeated. They put up a perfect 12-0 season under a brand new coach. But they were banned from any post-season games because previously, numerous players traded memorabilia in exchange for money. If you want to read more about this here is a link.
(Read more http://www.sportsnetworker.com/2013/10/03/college-athletes-should-get-paid-heres-why/)
4. The NCAA generates millions and millions of dollars of college athletes whether it is advertising their jerseys numbers, video games, and tickets selling. When the NCAA comes out with their video games with EA Sports, they use all the statistics from these athletes and factual information about their lives(where they grew up, how tall they are, how much they weigh, and etc) the only thing they do not use is their name so the athletes do not have to be compensated. This translates into let’s say you do all the hard work but you get nothing in return.
Second Part to the Blog:
ReplyDeleteEveryone says how can you come up with the right number to pay these athletes and what if other sports teams can generate as much money as other programs? Michael Wilbon, a sports analyst makes a great point on how you can fix the problem. “I wouldn't be the slightest bit interested in distributing the funds equitably or even paying every college athlete. I'm interested in seeing the people who produce the revenue share a teeny, tiny slice of it. That's right, football and men's basketball players get paid; lacrosse, field hockey, softball, baseball, soccer players get nothing. You know what that's called? Capitalism. Not everything is equal, not everything is fair.” –Wilbon
We do not live in a socialism world. If you have worked so hard and are extremely talented that generate so much money, you deserve to get compensated for your play. COLLEGE ATHELETE SHOULD BE PAID.
I just think paying them is entirely unnecessary. I think contemporary college football players are still motivated by winning the game and earning opportunities to play at the next level. I read an article in USA Today which stated " the University of Wisconsin generated $103,803,040 through its athletic programs during the 2011-2012 academic year – making UW the 11th highest grossing athletic program in the country. During that same time period, Wisconsin spent a total of $102,275,206 on expenses to athletic programs including coaches’ salaries, scholarships and facilities." This is approximately 98% of its revenue. Aside from the point that paying athletes is uncalled for,there isn't even enough money to do so as people think.
DeleteAs stated in the original question, it is obvious that justifying paying college athletes a salary is quite hard to do. First off, it sends a bad message to young and high school athletes. The message College Sports would be sending is "its ok to hold out for more money and it's ok to only pay some athletes but not others." Secondly, it is not what college is about. College athletes are not professionals and therefore should not be paid since the purpose of going to college is to get the training so you can use it later. It is also almost impossible to think of an adequate payment plan; is it based off talent, statistics, position, division,or sport type? And most importantly, college athletes are already paid. They get a huge scholarship from their university which practically accounts for a"salary."
ReplyDelete