In the article “The shame of college sports” Taylor Branch talks about how college athletes are generating millions of dollars for University while earning “nothing” for themselves. Throughout the article he talks about how companies sell their product by sponsoring teams and how all over the nation college students are being used to market merchandise from tickets all the way to shoes.
Personally I don’t think college athletes should be paid to go to college. Why because someone is athletically gifted should they get a pay check? They are already more likely to get scholarships and have a lot of benefits being college athletes. Many sports are sponsored so they get free clothing and gear; also many schools offer free tutoring and give their athletes a lunch most days. I don’t feel it’s right that colleges are exploiting these athletes to make millions of dollars.
What do you think? Should college athletes get a pay check for sports? Is it fair that Universities make millions off of these students?
I believe that college athletes should not receive a pay check for their athletic ability. As stated earlier these athletes are already treated much better than regular students because of all the free gear, tutoring, and scholarships. Although these athletes do not receive any direct cash payment their receive payment in the form of benefits and special treatment while attending school. These athletes also are on the track to becoming professionals and being paid large sums of money. By playing for the college they are better able to make it to become a professional. College athletes receive many benefits and perks beyond any regular student; therefore it would be slightly over the top to give them a pay check in addition.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am jealous and secretly coveting their scholarships, I do think the deserve there scholarships. As student athletes they have to give up other aspects of a “normal” (non student athlete) college experience. They committed time in middle school and high school training in hopes of scholarships. For some their parents also made a big investment in them with travel sports league and extra training. For the time commitment they have and are expected to make I don’t think it is wrong to reward them.
DeleteAs for the extra perks. Beside spirit wear what perks do they get? Yes the get tutoring services, but guess thats available to other students too.
In addition, the sports programs on campus’ aren’t funded by our tuition. They are funded from alumni donations and their own profitability during the season. So where or who that money is spent on is up to the athletic programs.
I believe most college athletes should get a check for their athletic ability. Most choose to come to college to get an education over being sent to the draft right away. By coming to college, athletes put their health on the line by possibly getting injuries for however long they are playing in college. They could be playing professionally and making a lot more money.
ReplyDeleteI realize some take their ability and money for granted by not really trying for their education. But also, you have to think about the time commitment they are giving. It is a lot more than students give up to work a part time job. Athletes are balancing two jobs; their sport and their education. Also, the universities generates SO much revenue from athletics, so it is only fair that they reward the athletes.
I believe that college athletes should be paid, like professional athletes. They should be given a paycheck because they help bring in tremendous revenue to the school through ticket sales, merchandise, and much more. All of this is possible because of them, yet they get nothing out of it. What they do get, these incentives and free gifts, are just a mere fraction of what they should be getting paid. Professional athletes make all that money because they are the reason why their respective franchises and leagues make so much money. Without them, they would make nothing. College athletes are the same say, sure they shouldn't be making millions since they bring in less revenue than their professional counterparts, but they should still be paid for what they do.
ReplyDeleteI think that college sports, mainly football, are a huge source of revenue for a college. For athletes getting free clothing and sponsorships is a part of why they chose to come to college. It can be positive for athletes to receive a high education. Some of the kids could not afford or get into college without a scholarship. By getting a scholarship to play sports, they also get the opportunity to get a high level of education. If they do not chose to learn, than that is there decision. It is everyones choice on if they decide to learn in college or to just try to get by doing nothing.
ReplyDeleteI completely disagree with your viewpoint that college athletes should not get paid. They do get scholarships to schools for a free education, but in comparison to what the school and companies make off of them it is chump change. The TV stations make a lot of money especially during March Madness for basketball, or the BCS National Championship Game for football and guess what these players who participate do not get anywhere close to the money the TV stations make in scholarships and free gear. Companies also will use the players’ numbers on merchandise a number 4 Duke jersey is obviously JJ Redick a number 23 for Kentucky is obviously Anthony Davis if you buy this gear you know whose jersey it is supposed to be. Video game companies also come out with college sports games that feature players that their names are numbers on the game and surprisingly look just like the real counterpart and they make money off of that. You better believe professional players are making money on the games they are in. So to think that scholarships are enough to give to college athletes you have to be kidding me because they generate way more money than what they get in scholarships.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I can go either way with this one. Yes, colleges make a lot of money from these athletes, but the school also has to pay for their practice fields and their attire. And like said above, most athletes already get a scholarship if they're good enough. They do bring in a lot of money, but they also cost a lot of money as well. Like I said before the University has to pay for the fields, merchandise, the stadium and for their transportation to other schools. Therefore, even though I can go both ways I'm going to say no. I don't believe college athletes should be paid. They should do it for fun rather than incentive. Also, they already have incentive to do good because then the NFL or NBA will see them and try to recruit them. Therefore I don't think it's unfair for colleges not to pay them directly, because they do pay them indirectly!
ReplyDeleteAs Carmen said previously, a lot of money goes into upkeep for these sports. A lot of people choose their college based on the sports teams there. For those who are athletically challenged like myself or just aren't good enough, we result in watching sports or playing on smaller club teams. It's not fair to all of the other students if the money that earned from marketing the sports players is used strictly for sports. It should be used for other purposes as well, like education - the reason people are supposed to go to college.
ReplyDeleteI actually believe college athletes should get a paycheck, depending on their athletic ability. If you think about it, these students work all the time just practicing and working out in order to keep up their athletic ability. Obviously, not all athletes get paid but I believe that if you are extremely good then that sport does become your job. These athletes rarely have time to do much else, because they travel all the time which is why they have tutors, and they have to keep up a certain ability to keep playing. I actually wanted to come to Virginia Tech to play on the softball team, but I gave up in 9th grade. I lost interest when they told me how much work effort I'd have to put in, just to be a pitcher. It's a lot more hard work than most people think it is. Like I said earlier though, athletes should only get a paycheck depending on their athletic ability and what they do for the team.
ReplyDeleteCollege athletes do generate millions in revenue for their respective colleges, but they benefit so much that being paid would go overboard. Most college athletes don’t pay full tuition and many are on full rides to their school, so in return for that these athletes play for their school. I don’t see how people want colleges to pay them on top of everything they offer to their student athletes, and on top of that the revenue generated by these players help to pay salaries of the faculty and staff of the athletic department. Some schools to pay outrageous salaries to their head football and basketball coaches, but the players benefit from having good coaches. Though the current system isn’t without flaw I don’t see any reason why colleges should have to pay their players as universities are very generous to student athletes already. Though the current system isn’t without flaw I don’t see any reason why colleges should have to pay their players as universities are very generous to student athletes already.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe college athletes should be paid to go to college. They can already receive scholarships and get benefits from the sports program as it is. Many sports players also get excused from tests and classes for sports making it easier to get good grades while putting in less academic effort. College is a place specifically designed for academics, while sports is a side addition. If an athlete is intelligent and is good at his sport, then they deserve scholarships for academics and the benefits of the sports program. But if the only thing the student is good for is sports, they do not deserve money for what they do. It is only fair.
ReplyDeleteA lot of college athletes receive significant benefits, albeit not necessarily in monetary form. These can include scholarships, private training facilities, better dorms, and a myriad of other things. Being paid to do what you were recruited by the school to do in the first place seems a bit backwards.
ReplyDeleteA lot of college athletes receive significant benefits, albeit not necessarily in monetary form. These can include scholarships, private training facilities, better dorms, and a myriad of other things. Being paid to do what you were recruited by the school to do in the first place seems a bit backwards.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be somewhat difficult to attract these players to university without some form of incentive, one being an excellent 4 year university education. I believe that players should be rewarded for their time and dedication to the team, but should also be made accountable for their performance in both the academic and athletic setting.
ReplyDeleteThe same amount of time and dedication, if not more, is put into both academic scholarships and sports scholarships but I don't think they should get paid to go to college. Getting a free tuition I think is enough and I don't see why they really should get paid on top of that, because it's like you're getting paid enough money for your education anway. Getting free tuition should be incentive enough to the college athletes.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do give college athletes credit for being able to handle being a student and an athlete, I simply don't think it's that's enough to justify getting a salary