The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) needs to stand firm on their philosophy of not paying college athletes for their time and talent. 

Some Division I college athletes are already handsomely rewarded for their time and talent with full-ride athletic scholarships that cover tuition, room and board, and books among other amenities. Furthermore, when a high school athlete signs the National Letter of Intent (NLI), they are signing up to be a participant of the sport versus a recipient of a multi-million-dollar contract from the sport. At the end of the day, it is a shame that some college players go into the sport with good intentions but then quickly turn into an athlete with only dollar signs in their eyes.

College athletes fail to realize that they are better off in the long run as it relates to the financial burden from their secondary education than most college students. A college athlete is typically under some type of athletic scholarship that pays for tuition, room and board, books and other amenities. Receiving a four-year college degree with no financial burden is priceless. The average college student would love to be in their shoes and not have to worry about paying off student loans for the next ten plus years after graduation. 

Unfortunately, most college students are not athletically gifted and will never be given that golden ticket. College athletes do not realize how fortunate they are nor do they understand what the average college student needs to do to attain a four year college degree. They need to step back and count their blessings versus complaining about not getting an actual paycheck from the university for their time and talent. 

In addition to wanting to be paid, some college athletes ignore the fact that their university gains income from their athletic ability. This surplus in funds tends to go back to the program and ultimately the players. While college athletes complain about not receiving any type of paycheck, they fail to notice all the new garb, equipment, and other amenities that they do receive. For example, elite brands like Nike and Under Armour sponsor the university and in turn provide apparel, jerseys, training equipment, etc., for the players to use at their disposal. On top of that, the money helps to fund the athlete’s health and safety in case they get injured during one of the athletic events. 

Although this is part of the package, some players fail to notice it and would rather receive some sort of paycheck from the university. Athletes do not seem to notice when a new building is constructed for only their use, a brand-new locker room is endowed to the team, or when a new turf or court is upgraded. Likely, these upgrades are paid for by money from ticket sales that spectators pay to come watch them play or other sources that pays for these perks. This money in turn goes back into the athletic programs, which in turn supports the athletes. 

Finally, when athletes sign their NLI, they are signing up to participate and help the program for the university. They are not signing a contract, like professionals, to get paid by the university. Horace Mitchell, a contributor to U.S. News, wrote “Students Are Not Professional Athletes” in 2014 and his point still holds true today.

“Students are not professional athletes who are paid salaries and incentives for a career in sports. They are students receiving access to a college education through their participation in sports, for which they earn scholarships to pay tuition, fees, room and board, and other allowable expenses. Collegiate sports are not a career or profession. It is the students' vehicle to a higher education degree. This access is contingent upon continued enrollment, participation in the sport for which they received the scholarship, and academic eligibility.” 

This dedication to the sport does not allow student athletes the opportunity to have a part-time job since their time is spent on school work and their sport. However, their commitment to the sport was clearly spelled out to them when they signed their NLI on National Signing Day. Given that, it is unacceptable for them to complain about not having discretionary spending money. College players made the decision to continue playing sports in college; no one forced them to do it. This dedication does make their life harder with all the extra time commitment; however, it was a choice they made on signing day, and one that they are being rewarded for handsomely, even if they do not ultimately see it. 

When it comes down to it, college athletes do not deserve to be paid, and the NCAA should stick by their mantra. By looking in-depth at everything they receive from the university like, free tuition, room and board, books and all other amenities, they are already being rewarded handsomely. Also, they do not realize or appreciate all the new things they receive from the spectators who pay to watch them play. These spectators help pay for things that the university cannot always supply to them and yet they still want more, which is truly pathetic. Furthermore, they signed up for all the sacrifices when they signed their NLI, and when the rubber hits the road, they need to shut up and put up with what they committed to doing for their university.

At the end of the day, some college athletes are just plain spoiled and feel they are entitled to what they have received in turn for their talents. The universities and colleges are doing a grave disservice to these athletes when it comes to the real world. The free lunch will end for some of these athletes as soon as the university closes its doors following graduation, thus making the real world seem like a cruel and foreign place. 

Share