College Athletes Receiving Pay For Play

Article by Boaz Kim Graphic by Jack Ververis

In the beginning of April, the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing arguments for a case that will decide whether or not college athletes should get paid. This has been a hot topic in the NCAA world,and this court appeal is trying to get college athletes to be grantedsome compensation for their name and likeness. A final decision has not been made however.

This court case is not deciding if players should be receiving a “salary” but it would be deciding if players should get paid for things such as being in video games, advertisements, jersey sales, etc.

“I think the athletes should be getting paid for the use of their name and likeness because it is unfair for athletes to be risking injury and training 40+ hours a week, generating profit for their college, and not get any money for themselves,” senior Charles Ahl, who will be playing soccer for Stetson next year, said.

One might say that colleges do not have the funding to pay all these athletes at their school who are already being given a scholarship and living conditions paid for. However, one statistic shows that on average colleges spend 34.1% of their money on coaching, 14.0% on scholarships, 15.0% on facilities, and 36.9% of what is left is used for any additional funds.

“I think if it were to pass, athletes that would be getting paid would be from revenue generating sports, which in my opinion would mainly be men’s basketball and football,” Ahl said. “However, it would still be a big advance for college athletes because it has been a topic of discussion for awhile now, and in my opinion it is unfair to athletes who generate revenue for their schools, get nothing in return.”

Being a college athlete can bear a lot of responsibility. During the day, they are studying and working towards their academic success. But after that, they have a long hard practice after a day of school. Athletes such as senior Cole Best, who will be attending the University of South Florida next year for football, feel that there should be some method of payment for the athletes.

“I think it is something thatis very fair and necessary because it would help out the players a lot and mean that play-

ers would not have to be working side jobs for money,” Best said. “For example, if athletes were to receive pay, this would help out players who come from low income families to help pay for any bills back home, also if athletes get injured or don’t go pro in their sport, they would have money saved from college to use.”

As of now, based on how the hearings have been going, experts say the Supreme Court will likely be in favor of athletes receiving some form of payment for college athletes’ names and likeness, but the final decision is yet to be announced.

“I think that this would definitely increase team morale and encourage players to work even harder because it would add a lot of extra motivation for players to play and practice their hardest,” Best said.