Being a former student athlete, I can relate to the hardships and financial struggles today's college kids have to deal with as they juggle class, a social life, and sports all at the same time.
Believe me... It's not an easy game to play.
Now don't get me wrong; I didn't grow up in poverty or in a rough neighborhood, but my parents weren't rich either. They were teachers/educators who were smart and knew how to save money. There were times I couldn't afford to go grab a bite to eat off campus, go to a movie, or even take my girlfriend out. Thankfully though, I was fortunate enough to never be without my essentials (deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, clean underwear, etc.), because my parents did a great job of saving enough money that they could always make sure I had a few bucks in my wallet. Unfortunately, many student athletes don't have that kind of financial support. They come from non-affluent families who lack the means to even afford life's most basic necessities.
...And that, right there, is the main reason I believe student athletes should be paid.
Now when I say "paid," I don't mean they deserve a salary. A stipend or an allowance, of some sort, would suffice. After all, college athletics is BIG BUSINESS. It's marketed and sold just like professional sports. They sell jerseys in campus bookstores and local retailers (Sports Authority, Dick's Sporting Goods) that are printed with your favorite player's number on the jersey, yet they avoid having to compensate them by not including their name.
Hmmm... If that number on the jersey doesn't represent a specific-someone, why don't they just sell the same jersey with the number "00" on it? Those jerseys would be just as profitable, right? ...Haha! #SMH
NCAA College Football video games are also huge money-makers. Player's likenesses are obviously in the game, because their unique jersey number is featured on the characters/players. However, the NCAA will tell you... "We're not selling the players, because the individual's name isn't featured." Give me a break! I can go fire-up the game right this second, select my favorite team, and assume their quarterback will be wearing a #2 jersey, stand 6'6"/250lbs, and just so happen to be black. ...Coincidence? I think not!
Big business is marketing and selling these players without compensating them. BILLIONS of dollars are being made, yet the athletes never see any kick-backs.
Follow me on this...
- The NCAA just signed a $10.8 BILLION dollar television deal with CBS and Time Warner Inc's Turner Broadcasting for the media rights to its Div I basketball tournament, which runs through 2024. That's $771.4 million/year.
- A 4-year tuition, plus room and board, for an out-of-state student at the University of Texas costs around $180,000. Thats, roughly, $45,000/year.
- Each year, Div I football programs are allowed 85 scholarships-players. So, if you do the math...
- 85 scholarships x $45,000 = $3,825,000 in scholarship expenses.
- The University of Texas football program recently had a gross revenue of over $93 million.
You starting to feel me on this? ;-)
Beyond these scholarships, the NCAA prohibits schools from compensating these student athletes who are responsible for creating these massive revenues. And get this... The NCAA also has rules that restrict student athletes from earning any outside income! In other words... If you want to have any extra spending cash while in college, you better have some rich parents!
I believe if these student athletes were given stipends, schools would feel like it's no longer necessary to provide players with illegal benefits/gifts. Not only that, but the extra money the kids would receive might even encourage them to stay for their entire eligibility and not leave early. That would make colleges happy, right?! After all... Aren't they highly interested in seeing their student athletes graduate? ...HA! Yeah, right!
I'm not yet finished with this rant, people! I've got more of my insights to throw your way. Tomorrow, come back to HitmanHarris.com where I'll answer the question I'm sure many of you are asking...
Why compensate college athletes when they're already receiving a free education?