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.
Showing posts with label Paying college athletes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paying college athletes. Show all posts
Monday, March 21, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
NCAA players get paid enough
A big question that comes up every year right around the beginning of the NCAA championship is whether or not NCAA players should be paid for their performance in games. Most Division I players go into schools on a full-ride, meaning that they get full tuition and room and board. At top notch universities such as Duke and North Carolina that alone can save the players as much as $50,000 a year. In addition, many qualify for Pell Grants, which are given regardless of whether or not they have to use it towards school. Based on this, NCAA players get paid enough.
Those who think players should get paid argue that so much money is being made off their performance on the court: $50 for a player’s jersey, in addition to all the shirts, hats, basketballs, towels, and other apparel found in the stores all over campus. Many complain that not giving the players their share of product licensing is harming them and robbing them of money that should be theirs. The college is already giving them enough money them for the education they receive(which they may or may not use), living expenses, food, books, and a couple extra thousand for travel expenses and random objects to clutter their dorm rooms. What else does a busy and pre-occupied college student need?
In an article by Johnette Howard on ESPN.com, Chris Plonsky at the University of Texas said, "Athletes will never, ever be treated as employees of universities. I can promise you that." The argument is that players are still students, and by paying them, they essentially become employees.. This will create animosity and jealousy around campus, hurting everyone involved. What happens to the amazing actors who sell out school plays, should they get paid too? There are other talents that should get money too if paying NCAA athletes a salary in addition to scholarships is accepted.
Those who think players should get paid argue that so much money is being made off their performance on the court: $50 for a player’s jersey, in addition to all the shirts, hats, basketballs, towels, and other apparel found in the stores all over campus. Many complain that not giving the players their share of product licensing is harming them and robbing them of money that should be theirs. The college is already giving them enough money them for the education they receive(which they may or may not use), living expenses, food, books, and a couple extra thousand for travel expenses and random objects to clutter their dorm rooms. What else does a busy and pre-occupied college student need?
In an article by Johnette Howard on ESPN.com, Chris Plonsky at the University of Texas said, "Athletes will never, ever be treated as employees of universities. I can promise you that." The argument is that players are still students, and by paying them, they essentially become employees.. This will create animosity and jealousy around campus, hurting everyone involved. What happens to the amazing actors who sell out school plays, should they get paid too? There are other talents that should get money too if paying NCAA athletes a salary in addition to scholarships is accepted.
Do college atheletes deserve to be paid?
College athletes should not be paid because the universities give the athletes more than sufficient compensation. Universities provide the athletes with a free education and pay for much of their other living expenses. In addition to this, they also receive the luxuries of first choices of classes, personal academic advisors and nicer facilities then the average student at the university. The opportunity to play college sports is also a great way to showcase their talents to fans and more importantly professional scouts. Just as college is a way for the average student to increase their marketability college provides the same opportunities for athletes.
The individual athletes who get fans to turn on their TV’s, attend games and buy merchandise will be able to play professionally and earn more than their fair share of money. For those athletes who can not make it in professional sports the free education, likely of higher quality then they could have received otherwise, is sufficient compensation.
If an athlete feels that they deserve to be compensated they don’t have to go to college. For example current NBA player Brandon Jennings did not go to college but instead played professionally abroad and was paid to do so. This route is not only viable for basketball, football players can play in the CFL (Canadian Football League) which has no minimum age requirement and baseball players can be drafted out of high school. These options are not taken by many athletes; showing that they feel the experiences that the universities provide them are sufficient compensation.
The individual athletes who get fans to turn on their TV’s, attend games and buy merchandise will be able to play professionally and earn more than their fair share of money. For those athletes who can not make it in professional sports the free education, likely of higher quality then they could have received otherwise, is sufficient compensation.
If an athlete feels that they deserve to be compensated they don’t have to go to college. For example current NBA player Brandon Jennings did not go to college but instead played professionally abroad and was paid to do so. This route is not only viable for basketball, football players can play in the CFL (Canadian Football League) which has no minimum age requirement and baseball players can be drafted out of high school. These options are not taken by many athletes; showing that they feel the experiences that the universities provide them are sufficient compensation.
The debate on paying college athletes
This week marks the start of one of the most lucrative college sporting events of the year, the NCAA Men's Division 1 basketball tournament. Scheduled to bring in over $100 million dollars in revenue to member institutions, there is no doubt that "March Madness" is big business. With the tremendous amount of money that is changing hands while the student-athletes push for a spot in college basketball immortality, the debate continues about whether or not college athletes should get a piece of the action.
In addition to our viewpoints on this topic, we are also presenting a few recent ESPN.com articles that discuss this very question, "Should college athletes be paid?"
Should college athletes be paid? - Robert Lipsyte and Dan Shanoff
College athletes already paid in full - Jason Whitlock
Pay college athletes? No. - Johnette Howard
In addition to our viewpoints on this topic, we are also presenting a few recent ESPN.com articles that discuss this very question, "Should college athletes be paid?"
Should college athletes be paid? - Robert Lipsyte and Dan Shanoff
College athletes already paid in full - Jason Whitlock
Pay college athletes? No. - Johnette Howard
College Athletes Should NOT be Paid
The debate as to whether or not college basketball players should get paid is constantly on fire. The NCAA brings in so much money to the universities, due to revenue from merchandise, advertisements, and sponsors, that athletes believe they deserve a cut.
The players believe that they have a right to the money because they are the cause for the fans entertainment, and the sponsor's desire to advertise. However, they are getting paid. Their selfish and spoiled minds led them to believe that they are doing all of this for free. Many, if not all of the starters, on an NCAA basketball team have full ride scholarship. That is already their $120,000 contract for four years. According to an ESPN.com article, the players get many privileges that are not offered to all of the other students at the college. The sports players get, "Not just free food, free "training table" super food (at least for football).Not just a free room and board: The best dorm rooms on campus. Not just the occasional access to professors: Full-time teaching assistants whose only job is to make sure the athletes get the most out of the education experience (uh, that's aspirationally). Not just free books and classes: First choice of any classes they want." That is definitely payment enough.
Also, if one college sports team gets paid, then all of the teams that the university offers need to get paid. Then, if the teams are paid, the teams need to be paid equally. If they are not, it creates a hierarchy and increases tension among the sports. If money became associated with power, then the basketball and football teams, which are sports that bring in the most amount of money, would be considered better than the baseball and wrestling teams. According to an article by Johnette Howard, there are many issues that need to be considered when college athletes become employees. "Should stars get more or would there be a flat rate for everyone? Can a college athlete/employee renegotiate? Get fired? For what?"
The bottom line is, athletes should not be given a salary, on top of the advantages that they already have. They get everything that they need, and more. Giving them more money would only bring up problems. Many issues will arise for the college employees that would need to be addressed.
The players believe that they have a right to the money because they are the cause for the fans entertainment, and the sponsor's desire to advertise. However, they are getting paid. Their selfish and spoiled minds led them to believe that they are doing all of this for free. Many, if not all of the starters, on an NCAA basketball team have full ride scholarship. That is already their $120,000 contract for four years. According to an ESPN.com article, the players get many privileges that are not offered to all of the other students at the college. The sports players get, "Not just free food, free "training table" super food (at least for football).Not just a free room and board: The best dorm rooms on campus. Not just the occasional access to professors: Full-time teaching assistants whose only job is to make sure the athletes get the most out of the education experience (uh, that's aspirationally). Not just free books and classes: First choice of any classes they want." That is definitely payment enough.
Also, if one college sports team gets paid, then all of the teams that the university offers need to get paid. Then, if the teams are paid, the teams need to be paid equally. If they are not, it creates a hierarchy and increases tension among the sports. If money became associated with power, then the basketball and football teams, which are sports that bring in the most amount of money, would be considered better than the baseball and wrestling teams. According to an article by Johnette Howard, there are many issues that need to be considered when college athletes become employees. "Should stars get more or would there be a flat rate for everyone? Can a college athlete/employee renegotiate? Get fired? For what?"
The bottom line is, athletes should not be given a salary, on top of the advantages that they already have. They get everything that they need, and more. Giving them more money would only bring up problems. Many issues will arise for the college employees that would need to be addressed.
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