5 answers
Haley
Student
Huntertown, Indiana
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Why should collage athletes not be paid?
Doing an assignment for school
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5 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
761
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I suppose I come from the old school of thought when it comes to paying athletes. here are some things you might consider
1. Paying athletes can be a distraction. In my opinion they are there to go to school, get technical training, and prepare themselves to eventually go into the workforce. Paying them and having them focus on athletics takes away from this educational and academic process.
2. Money utilized to pay the athletes can be better used elsewhere. Remember there are other students on the college campus who do not play sports, and the resources used to pay the athletes could be used in student services, academic support, and other educational resources for the entire student and campus population.
3. Smaller schools can't compete anymore. Only the wealthiest and largest school, with the most financial resources, benefit from this system. So, it creates an unfair playing field for the smaller school.
4. There could be more problems with corruption, as schools compete with each other for the best athletes. There are also might be undue influence from outside sources and booster organizations to bend rules, which will lead to violations as they bid for the best athletes.
5. The transfer portal is ridiculous. Many of the athletes are transferring out of colleges after only one year and are jumping around. This takes away from the experience of getting an education and is clearly leading to them not getting a degree, because their credits obtained at a previous college may not all transfer to the new college or university.
These are just a few ideas to consider.
1. Paying athletes can be a distraction. In my opinion they are there to go to school, get technical training, and prepare themselves to eventually go into the workforce. Paying them and having them focus on athletics takes away from this educational and academic process.
2. Money utilized to pay the athletes can be better used elsewhere. Remember there are other students on the college campus who do not play sports, and the resources used to pay the athletes could be used in student services, academic support, and other educational resources for the entire student and campus population.
3. Smaller schools can't compete anymore. Only the wealthiest and largest school, with the most financial resources, benefit from this system. So, it creates an unfair playing field for the smaller school.
4. There could be more problems with corruption, as schools compete with each other for the best athletes. There are also might be undue influence from outside sources and booster organizations to bend rules, which will lead to violations as they bid for the best athletes.
5. The transfer portal is ridiculous. Many of the athletes are transferring out of colleges after only one year and are jumping around. This takes away from the experience of getting an education and is clearly leading to them not getting a degree, because their credits obtained at a previous college may not all transfer to the new college or university.
These are just a few ideas to consider.
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1334
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey there Haley! Let me list down a little bit about this debate on whether college athletes should be paid. Hope this helps too. 😌✨
Why College Athletes Should NOT Be Paid
First off, many college athletes receive pretty sweet scholarships that cover tuition, housing, meals, and sometimes even extras like tutoring and healthcare. That’s a huge perk already, and some folks argue that adding extra pay would be like getting double the benefits. 💰
Then there’s the academic side of things. College is all about education, and if athletes start focusing on cash, it might pull their attention away from their studies. The worry is that chasing paychecks could disrupt the balance between sports and academics. 📚
Another concern is fairness among schools. Big, wealthy universities might be able to afford paying athletes, but smaller colleges could get left in the dust, creating an uneven playing field. It could be like watching a high school team take on a professional squad—totally unbalanced. 🏫
Plus, consider the transfer portal. Athletes already have the option to switch schools, but if money enters the picture, it might turn into a bidding war where loyalty and academic goals take a backseat. 🔄
Lastly, college sports have always had that “love of the game” vibe. The tradition of amateurism means athletes compete out of passion, not for financial gain. Changing that could shift the spirit of college sports into something more business-like. ⚽
Why College Athletes SHOULD Be Paid
On the flip side, college sports are a major revenue source. From TV deals and ticket sales to merchandise, schools are raking in cash, yet the athletes—the ones putting in the hard work and risking injury—often see little of that money. It just seems fair to share the profits a bit more directly. 📺💸
Also, think about the time commitment. Between practices, games, travel, and workouts, athletes are practically working a full-time job while also trying to keep up with their studies. Paying them could acknowledge the effort and time they invest every day. ⏰
Recent policy changes around Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) have already opened doors for athletes to earn money through endorsements, sponsorships, and social media deals. This shift shows that there’s a move toward recognizing their market value. 🤳
Then there’s the issue of injuries. A serious injury can end an athlete’s career and future earnings in a heartbeat. Having some form of compensation could provide financial security when things go wrong. 🏥
Lastly, many other students have opportunities to earn money through campus jobs or internships. If a music major can earn income through gigs, why not athletes, who are also investing a ton of time and energy? 💼
So… What’s the Move?
This is a super complex issue! On one hand, paying college athletes could be a way to reward their hard work and help offset risks like injuries. On the other, it might disrupt the academic focus and create a bigger gap between wealthy and smaller schools. Many people see the current NIL system as a good middle ground—it lets athletes earn money without completely overhauling the traditional college sports model.
A balanced solution might be a small stipend from the school combined with the freedom to earn through NIL deals. That way, you acknowledge their contributions while still keeping the academic and amateur spirit intact. 👍
Good luck with your assignment, Haley! If you need more insights or have any other questions, I’m here to help. 😎
Why College Athletes Should NOT Be Paid
First off, many college athletes receive pretty sweet scholarships that cover tuition, housing, meals, and sometimes even extras like tutoring and healthcare. That’s a huge perk already, and some folks argue that adding extra pay would be like getting double the benefits. 💰
Then there’s the academic side of things. College is all about education, and if athletes start focusing on cash, it might pull their attention away from their studies. The worry is that chasing paychecks could disrupt the balance between sports and academics. 📚
Another concern is fairness among schools. Big, wealthy universities might be able to afford paying athletes, but smaller colleges could get left in the dust, creating an uneven playing field. It could be like watching a high school team take on a professional squad—totally unbalanced. 🏫
Plus, consider the transfer portal. Athletes already have the option to switch schools, but if money enters the picture, it might turn into a bidding war where loyalty and academic goals take a backseat. 🔄
Lastly, college sports have always had that “love of the game” vibe. The tradition of amateurism means athletes compete out of passion, not for financial gain. Changing that could shift the spirit of college sports into something more business-like. ⚽
Why College Athletes SHOULD Be Paid
On the flip side, college sports are a major revenue source. From TV deals and ticket sales to merchandise, schools are raking in cash, yet the athletes—the ones putting in the hard work and risking injury—often see little of that money. It just seems fair to share the profits a bit more directly. 📺💸
Also, think about the time commitment. Between practices, games, travel, and workouts, athletes are practically working a full-time job while also trying to keep up with their studies. Paying them could acknowledge the effort and time they invest every day. ⏰
Recent policy changes around Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) have already opened doors for athletes to earn money through endorsements, sponsorships, and social media deals. This shift shows that there’s a move toward recognizing their market value. 🤳
Then there’s the issue of injuries. A serious injury can end an athlete’s career and future earnings in a heartbeat. Having some form of compensation could provide financial security when things go wrong. 🏥
Lastly, many other students have opportunities to earn money through campus jobs or internships. If a music major can earn income through gigs, why not athletes, who are also investing a ton of time and energy? 💼
So… What’s the Move?
This is a super complex issue! On one hand, paying college athletes could be a way to reward their hard work and help offset risks like injuries. On the other, it might disrupt the academic focus and create a bigger gap between wealthy and smaller schools. Many people see the current NIL system as a good middle ground—it lets athletes earn money without completely overhauling the traditional college sports model.
A balanced solution might be a small stipend from the school combined with the freedom to earn through NIL deals. That way, you acknowledge their contributions while still keeping the academic and amateur spirit intact. 👍
Good luck with your assignment, Haley! If you need more insights or have any other questions, I’m here to help. 😎
cody Mccollaum
corrections
13
Answers
Oceanside, California
Updated
cody’s Answer
College sports are traditionally based on the idea of amateurism, where athletes compete for the love of the game, education, and personal development, rather than financial gain. Critics of paying athletes argue that this amateur model is integral to the college sports experience and maintains the integrity of college athletics.
Michelle M.
Actress
2322
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Haley !
I totally agree with Advisor Paul Goetzinger, but I am here to give a twist to your question as you research information for a school assignment. Please do independent research on the information and ideas I will express.
You know, college athletes are indeed allowed to be paid, but it doesn't have to be by their school and it is not required by their college. In 2024, the policy around this issue changed. The National Collegiate Athletic Association reached an agreement to allow college athletes to get paid. So, what is allowed is that college athletes can enter into Name, Image and Likeness Agreements. This means they can obtain sponsorship, create and sell merchandise, endorsements, etc. They are allowed to obtain an Agent to get work in that way.
Here is the twist: a college Work Study Program can pay college athletes for playing in the games of their sport. I advise really researching this because all colleges have different guidelines about this and some may or may not participate. If a college allows this, the athlete would get paid according to their Work Study allotment till it runs out. The student applies for Work Study on their federal Student Financial Aid application. So, the college isn't paying them, Financial Aid is paying them.
That being said, with these options it's not that student athletes SHOULDN'T be paid, it's a question of being realistic about what college would actually be able to afford to pay all of their student athletes. There can be thousands of student athletes at a university! There is no budget for that and no way to justify it, especially when student athletes, if they want to be paid, have other ways to do it. Colleges and Universities have great expense and paying student athletes is not doable, especially when the student is able to explore other ways of getting paid to play their chosen sport.
Best wishes on your report !
I totally agree with Advisor Paul Goetzinger, but I am here to give a twist to your question as you research information for a school assignment. Please do independent research on the information and ideas I will express.
You know, college athletes are indeed allowed to be paid, but it doesn't have to be by their school and it is not required by their college. In 2024, the policy around this issue changed. The National Collegiate Athletic Association reached an agreement to allow college athletes to get paid. So, what is allowed is that college athletes can enter into Name, Image and Likeness Agreements. This means they can obtain sponsorship, create and sell merchandise, endorsements, etc. They are allowed to obtain an Agent to get work in that way.
Here is the twist: a college Work Study Program can pay college athletes for playing in the games of their sport. I advise really researching this because all colleges have different guidelines about this and some may or may not participate. If a college allows this, the athlete would get paid according to their Work Study allotment till it runs out. The student applies for Work Study on their federal Student Financial Aid application. So, the college isn't paying them, Financial Aid is paying them.
That being said, with these options it's not that student athletes SHOULDN'T be paid, it's a question of being realistic about what college would actually be able to afford to pay all of their student athletes. There can be thousands of student athletes at a university! There is no budget for that and no way to justify it, especially when student athletes, if they want to be paid, have other ways to do it. Colleges and Universities have great expense and paying student athletes is not doable, especially when the student is able to explore other ways of getting paid to play their chosen sport.
Best wishes on your report !
Thank you, Michelle!
Sir Flyer
Design, Entertainment and sport coaching
18
Answers
Zürich, Switzerland
Updated
Sir’s Answer
College athletes should not be paid because they already receive scholarships covering tuition, housing, and other expenses. Paying them could also disrupt the balance between academics and athletics and create inequality among sports programs.