Why Should College Athletes Should Not Be Paid?

The year is 1906. Many important events took place this year; radio broadcasting was invented, the San Francisco Earthquake occurred, but there was one thing which began this year that would impact the lives of millions. On March 31, 1906, the United States President Theodore Roosevelt began an association that still exists today, the NCAA, or National Collegiate Athletic Association (Rippetoe). Although the NCAA may not seem like that big of a deal at first glance, it affects millions of students, parents, colleges, and coaches all over the United States. Players compete for colleges, parents pay to support their child in college, coaches instruct thousands of college athletes on how to play, and colleges admit young athletes right out of
“Former college football player Ron Brace stated that college football is ‘like a job. We get up early, workout, meetings, class and practice. We're giving up a big chunk of our life. I see no reason we shouldn't be paid’” (Lemmons). These players are basically working full time jobs, and rarely have time to study for classes and do well in school. Many of these players would not have been admitted into these schools in the first place if it were not due to their athletic ability. Players struggle with their school work because they spend so much time at sports. For example, “ an NCAA survey conducted in 2011, Division I football players averaged 43 hours a week. Baseball came in second with 42.1 hours and men’s basketball came in third with 39.2” (Martinez). This goes on to prove the hours spend a week by athletes in order to be on the team. Also, many players from the NCAA do not go pro, and leave college with no money, and a minimal education (Martinez). This is not good, because they have nothing after leaving college, and now have to begin their adult life. According to the article “Should College Athletes be Paid?”, If players did not have any athletic ability, these schools
The NCAA and others make billions of dollars off of this growing industry. Money is made from games, commercials, stadium revenue, athletic sponsors, and anything that players do to raise money like when they hit a milestone or win a championship. Without the players, the NCAA is nothing. It is said that “Millions of dollars are spent updating stadiums, training facilities and other areas of athletic departments, all for ‘amateur’ athletes to compete” (Marshall). These players are working day in and day out in order to help their team succeed, but the NCAA and the school receive all of the credit through billions of dollars, meanwhile, the players get nothing. According to “Paying College Athletes: Should the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) pay college athletes?”, “[players] names and likenesses are used in merchandise licensed by the NCAA, such as video games.” These players are taken advantage of by the NCAA in order for them to make even more money. These players should be compensated for their hard work and effort. Players should be recognized for appearing in video games, ads, and commercials made by the NCAA. These different organizations are making major bank off of the players, yet the players receive nothing from their constant hard work and dedication to the sporting programs at their school. According to “Should NCAA Athletes be Paid?”,