Give Credit Where Credit is Due

            College athletes need to be paid, it is as simple as that. Day in and day out, these people are asked to not only balance schoolwork but also to balance their practice schedules. It is essentially a full time job and they receive no compensation for their work. When people discuss this topic, they do not say that the student-athletes get paid thousands and thousands of dollars, no, they say that the athletes should be given spending money. These athletes do not have time to get part time jobs in order to have money to spend; their job is their sport. Therefore, they have no means of acquiring money that they can spend around campus.

            There are valid arguments that come from both sides of the spectrum, but ultimately, the athletes are due some sort of payment. This video, provided by the ESPN network, explains the money situation in college sports. With realignment of the conferences and outrageous television contracts, college sports have so much revenue and do not know what to do with it. As the commentators clarify, the college players deserve “part of the pot” because it is them who the spectators watch and cheer for.

            The ESPN analysts also spoke on the fact that most college students leave college deep in debt. If these players can find any way of making any kind of money to help themselves after college and to help their transition out into the real world, they should be entitled to that money.

This video segment is effective in supporting the idea of paying college athletes because the analysts are former athletes and sports personnel, and they show an actual quote from a highly prestigious college basketball coach. People are more prone to converting their opinion if they see credible sources promoting a certain idea and that is the case here. Plus, each analyst includes their own thought on the matter and how the system could be enhanced. One commentator explains that the NCAA should let the big time schools pay their own athletes while the smaller athletic schools gain some financial assistance from the NCAA to help fund for their athletes. Another analyst says that the student-athletes do in fact earn a lot for their universities and only get an education in return. That is a good deal, but more could be done.

These analysts do point out the benefits and the flaws to the idea. But, the NCAA should be working on a proper system that will pay every athlete on a universities roster. I believe it is morally right to do such a thing. These players are essentially paying the coaches, school administrators, and NCAA representative’s salaries and do not receive any spending money in return. I do however feel that there is great value in the scholarships that are handed out to the top athletes but a few hundred dollars per year could be given so that the athletes can live a little more comfortably. In the end, I do not see how the NCAA board can continue to deny these hard working student-athletes what they are due. It is only a matter of time before they are being properly compensated for their talent and hard work. After all, the NCAA should give credit where credit is due, and the first step is by paying their athletes.



Youtube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU5zEYe7_PA