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Should college athletes be paid for playing collegiate sporting activities? This question has recently been at the forefront both in sports headlines media as well as in sports discussions where various opinions are given by different sports personalities, organizations and those that have a stake in the sport. After the creation of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the organization expressed its feelings on the issue of paying college athletes ‘no way’ explicitly. 

This was the main argument as officials believed that offering athletes money for their services will detract from the amateur factor that tends to make college sports so popular and competitive. In response to this dilemma, the NCAA now permits student-athletes to make some benefits from their image, identity, and popularity. However, it still maintains that college students playing sports should not be paid salaries. This article dives deeper into the debate, examining arguments on why college athletes should be paid as well as opinions on why this shouldn’t be the case. 

Why Should College Students Be Paid?

One of the main factors that shape students’ choice of colleges is the competitiveness of their preferred sports. College athletics in the United States is a serious undertaking, with students dedicating countless hours to practice, diet, and activities. Paying these athletes allows them to afford certain deserved privileges, including paying for online paper writing service when they need help with assignments. There are numerous arguments supporting the need to pay student-athletes for their hard work. Here are some notable ones. 

They Make the Division Serious Money 

The most basic reason why college students playing sports need to be compensated for their work is the crazy sums they make for the sports. According to evidence, college sports generate billions in revenue, benefiting sponsors, administrators, networks, and colleges. Surveys also show that publicity and advertising also make huge sums based on the popularity of college sports. Unfortunately, the people at the heart of the work that generates the revenue, college athletes, do not get paid for their work. 

Those in favor of paying college athletes use the crazy amounts that these sportspeople generate as a reason why they need to get a least a share of the cake. So far, it seems that the NCAA and college sports administrators benefit unfairly from the dedication and likeness of these athletes. With some coaches taking home millions in yearly payments, it seems unfair that students aren’t getting paid a share of the money generated. 

College Sports Is a Risky Venture 

College students playing sports put their bodies and health on the line every time they step in to practice or play. The activities and routines are often intense, and some result in career-ending injuries. Since the athletes are already placing their bodies and well-being at risk to play for the institutions, it only makes sense for them to get some form of compensation. They are putting everything on the line for the sports, risking their health and future careers to compete. Their sacrifices lead to top performances that bring colleges millions. If these students are to continue risking their wellness for the institutions, they need some form of remuneration. 

Although college athletes are required to have health insurance, the NCAA does not pay for the insurance. Students and their parents are left to shoulder the brunt of costs and medical expenses associated with injuries some of which can have lifetime implications. There are no rules stopping institutions from canceling the scholarships of student-athletes who have gone through serious injuries. This means that should athletes get injured, their future in sports is compromised and their education is also at risk. The magnitude of risks the students go through makes paying them for their work only sensible and just. 

Also, there is the issue of opportunity cost. This means that, since students miss out on socialization, part-time work, and fun as they focus on athletics, payment should be seen as an incentive. They are foregoing important opportunities that could shape their future careers. Since students cannot sustain paying jobs while doing sports, they face serious financial constraints. This is made worse by the extra cost of nutritional demands and the cost of special gear. These frustrations can have a negative implication on student’s academic performance and work outlook following graduation. Paying these students is a way to reduce the opportunity cost associated with participating in athletics. 

Why Shouldn’t College Athletes Be Paid?

We have looked at some of the reasons why college students need to be paid for the work they put in as members of sports teams. So, what are the reasons that exist against paying these athletes? A notable argument by officials is that compensating student-athletes damages the amateurism of college athletics, which is the main reason why so many people are attracted to the events. Some argue that these students shouldn’t be paid because they already receive some form of compensation in the form of scholarships. 

Although these scholarships help with tuition, they are seldom enough to cover the cost of gear, food, and training needed to perform at the highest level. The money students get from scholarships seldom covers professional assignment services. There is another argument that paying college athletes may have negative financial implications for institutions because most expenditures for college sports tend to go beyond their revenues. The competition for top talent may leave certain institutions at an unfair disadvantage. 

There seems to be strong arguments for and against paying college athletes. Proponents focus on the contributions these students make to the sport and the money they bring in, which makes perfect sense. However, there are concerns raised regarding the sustainability of a paid system. Of course, the debate is bound to continue until there is a system in place, backed by legislation, to properly compensate these athletes for the work they do.

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