College football players deserve compensation for their contributions to their institutions, the NCAA, and their personal futures. The disparity in the benefits they receive compared to the wealth they generate is staggering and demands attention. Advocating for fairness and equality in collegiate athletics is not just a call for justice but a necessary step towards recognizing the invaluable commitment that these athletes make.
First of all, a Drexel University study highlighted that the average market value of a D1 football player was around $120,048. However, these players don’t receive a fraction of that in actual cash. When a team gets to a bowl game, the players can only earn a maximum of$550 in prizes, while coaches are able to make bonuses up to $850,000. This harsh difference in compensation is blatantly unfair, especially when you take into account that the players are committing and sacrificing just as much as the coaches.
In addition, NCAA research reveals that college football players often devote over 40 hours per week to their sport. This level of commitment leaves them with very little time for personal interests or academic activities. As a result, many athletes struggle to balance their athletic commitments with their studies, often needing tutors or just ignoring their schoolwork. This imbalance affects their opportunities after graduation, limiting their opportunities because of lower academic background or experience.
Speaking about an athlete’s future, another big issue is the financial security of athletes after college. For many, college is the highest level they will achieve in their respective sport. However, after putting in 4 intense years to their program, they face the harsh reality that they didn’t spend enough of their time on academics. Shockingly, an NCPA survey found that 86% of college athletes live below the federal poverty line, proving the financial struggle they have to endure once they graduate.
While the idea of paying college athletes seems fair, some may argue that it might ruin the aspect of amateurism in collegiate sports. Introducing wages might widen the gap between athletes and nonathletes, which could change the spirit of the team and how they operate. Disparities may also arise between different sports or even between players on the same team. However, these arguments don’t take into account that these players have bigger problems than a little bit of jealousy. They have to worry about their financial, internal, and overall success in the future.
In conclusion, it’s important to acknowledge the immense worth of college athletes and what they bring to both their colleges and the NCAA. Fair compensation isn’t just a moral necessity, it’s an essential step towards recognizing their dedication and ensuring their financial stability after graduation.
Works Cited
Gonchar, Michael. “Should College Football Players Get Paid?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 Jan. 2014, archive.nytimes.com/learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/07/should-college-football-players-get-paid/.
Kraft, Nicole. “Why the Public Strongly Supports Paying College Athletes.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 22 Aug. 2023, www.forbes.com/sites/nicolekraft/2023/08/21/why-the-public-strongly-supports-paying-college-athletes/?sh=96f416d1b08e.
Leppard, Natalie. “Should College Athletes Be Paid? Top 3 Pros and Cons.” ProCon.Org, 27 Mar. 2023, www.procon.org/headlines/paying-college-athletes-top-3-pros-and-cons/.
“Study College Athletes Worth Six Figures Live below Federal Poverty Line.” Drexel Home, 23 Jan. 2023, drexel.edu/news/archive/2011/september/study-college-athletes-worth-six-figures-live-below-federal-poverty-line.
“Study: ‘The Price of Poverty in Big Time College Sport.’” National College Players Association, www.ncpanow.org/research/study-the-price-of-poverty-in-big-time-college-sport. Accessed 18 Dec. 2023.
“Why College Athletes Should Be (or Should Not Be) Paid.” College Raptor Blog, College Raptor Staff, 22 Sept. 2023, www.collegeraptor.com/paying-for-college/articles/questions-answers/should-college-athletes-be-paid/#:~:text=College%20athletes%20claim%20that%20their,college%20athletes%20should%20be%20paid.