College sports generate billions of dollars for schools, networks, and corporate sponsors. Unfortunately, it seems that everyone is making money off of college athletics except the players. College athletes must be paid because organizations are currently profiting unfairly. In addition, athletes risk their future health and careers, and getting paid would allow them to learn about financial responsibility.
College athletes are not being paid while schools, networks, and more are making huge profits off players who cannot get income from their schools. The Department of Education reported that college athletic programs collected $14 billion in total revenue in 2019, and that doesn’t include income from broadcasting rights and corporate sponsorship. College athletes should be paid based on their skill level because NCAA players need a paycheck or some income to care for themselves or stay in athletic condition. It is important because even though the player is getting an education-related payment, they might not be getting it completely free like a full-ride scholarship. They would need to pay the rest of the fees and living expenses to attend school, such as textbooks, school supplies, accommodations, etc. The average scholarship is roughly $18,000, which does not cover all tuition and fees of attending school.
College athletes are at high injury risk, which may lead to long-term health consequences. A severe injury in college can ruin an athlete’s chance of turning pro. Also, according to Sports Illustrated, former Division I athletes who sustained a major injury are 2.5 times more likely to have chronic injuries than non-athletes. Colleges and universities are not footing the bill for the health care costs of these injuries once the athlete’s college career is over. If colleges compensate athletes, that would perhaps help cover some of those future expenses.
Another reason colleges must pay athletes is that paying athletes would give the players the knowledge of financial responsibility. This would help them in case they get to the Major Leagues, so they don’t become broke or have financial issues with their money. Research from Kansas State University suggests that athletes with more financial knowledge are more confident with money management and decision-making. Therefore, colleges should be providing financial education to athletes, and real-life experience with their own money would be a great component of that.
In 2021 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the NCAA cannot stop universities from making education-related payments to student-athletes, a step toward a much-needed change in allowing student-athletes to profit from their skill.
I urge all colleges to do the right thing and pay their student-athletes who risk their long-term health and careers for the sport.
- Wyatt LaBar
- United States