To pay or not to pay?

The debate over whether college athletes should get paid or not is still ongoing. These athletes have to live two different lives; the life of a student and the life of their possible career. Everyone except the athletes seems to be making money. Colleges make money by selling tickets and advertising for their basketball games, and companies make money by selling their merchandise such as NCAA video games or basketballs. Does it seem fair that these athletes who play the game do not get paid, but others do?

On the other hand, athletes receive special treatment other students do not get. They get the benefit of choosing their classes before any other students do. Their biggest benefit is the fact that the university pays for all of their tuition and other expenses. While other students have various part time jobs to pay off their loans, these athletes are attending college for free and yet they are greedy for more. College athletes also have special access to some facilities such as their own cafeteria and gym. They also have personal teachers follow them around during their seasons. What more could a student in his twenties ask for? If the athletes want to get paid they should try their best to play in the pros. That is the path the student has chosen and if playing in the pros isn't for them, then they have the free education that was provided for them as a backup. Playing a sport for a team isn't a right; it is a privilege.