NCAA players are remarkable athletes and diligent workers, but do they receive the [incentive] that their abilities warrant? NCAA viewers have pushed for athletes to be paid for the entertainment they provide, as well as the substantial recognition the earn some colleges. Coaches also have a big impact on a team’s performance, and they are paid to do their job. The question is whether players should receive the same compensation for their work.
Former Georgia Bulldog Todd Gurley believes that the NCAA does not care about their athletes, going so far as to wear a shirt emblazoned with the phrase “Not Concerned About Athletes.” “I’ll just let my shirt speak for itself,” said Gurley. “Just being a college athlete and obviously going through suspension and all that stuff, you’ve got to see both sides of it.”
Gurley was suspended in 2014 for four games after the NCAA was informed about the star running back making $3,000 off autographs and signed souvenirs for fans. “Receiving financial compensation for utilizing one’s name, image or likeness currently violates the NCAA’s amateurism rules,” Pete Blackburn, Writer for CBS college football articles said.
College students and former famous professional athletes believe that college athletes should be paid. Athletes such as Richard Sherman, cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers, have supported payment of college athletes during their college years. A survey conducted by polling platform College Pulse found that a majority of college students believe student athletes deserve to be paid.
Despite the large amount of support for student athlete wages, they still don’t receive payment for their services. What argument can be made for the opposition? Kieran McCauley, a writer for Daily Local News, elaborates on the compensation student athletes receive outside of a salary. “Essentially they receive a free education and in return they represent the school in a certain sport. College athletes don’t have to worry about student loans, paying for textbooks, the cost of on-campus living, and meal plans,” McCauley stated.