Basketball legend, Michael Jordan once said, “in college I never realized the opportunities available to a pro athlete. I've been given the chance to meet all kinds of people, to travel and expand my financial capabilities, to get ideas and learn about life, to create a world apart from basketball.” College players still do not have the same amenities that professional athletes have. Why not give the college athlete a portion of what professionals get since they are working just as hard in their respective sport? With all the money that flows in and out of college sports, college athletes should be paid for playing for their school. Paying the amauter athlete would open up many new windows for not only the player, …show more content…
Some fans do not want the players to be paid because they feel that the true meaning of being a college athlete would be tarnished. A large majority of people oppose paying the athletes because they see them as students (Alex Prewitt). Also, fans want the “amatuer” label to matter (Dom Amore). Spectators believe that the players could let the money affect their game (Adriano Valente). Student-Athletes could let all the money get the best of them which would lead them to forget the reason why they are playing in college (Adriano Valente). Their youth might cause them to make impulsive decisions as well. For example, former NFL first round draft pick, Travis Taylor, spent $40,000 in a furniture store after he received his first rookie paycheck (Tom Farrey). Athletes have a history of wasting their money by spending it on items that distract them from their sport. Young athletes are already prone to making bad choices, giving them money could make their choices lead to severe consequences. However, paying the athletes would help the college and the athlete. Paying college athletes now is the right thing to do because it will give those who fail to be recruited by the pros a chance to buy some time, and hopefully figure out how they are going to get by with the rest of their lives and give them a little savings in the bank to work with (Steve Siebold). Athletes would also be more motivated in academics and athletics. “They are the very reason college sports fans turn on the TV and attend the games. They are what generates revenues all around” (Steve