Is it time to pay college athletes?

The debate whether the NCAA should pay college athletes or not has been a controversial topic for years. On average, the college sports industry generates $11 billion in annual revenues. The school’s athletes create the drive behind most of these earnings. However, the NCAA members continue to forbid the sharing of revenues with their student-athletes.

The NCAA has plenty of money left over that they can and should be paying their athletes with.

By paying college athletes, players will more than likely remain at that school for his/her entire college career. The coaching staff will be able to mentor the same athletes for four years. This is beneficial for the school itself because graduation rates will increase tremendously.

Usually, a school’s top athletes will go on to play professional sports in the future. By paying student athletes, schools are already treating them like professionals, encouraging them to continue the kind of dedication and perseverance when they eventually move up to that level.

The limitation of corruption from external influences is another beneficial factor of paying college athletes. College athletes are constantly being corrupted by agents, boosters, and bribes from outside sources. There have been such scandals in the past that involved players taking money and even point-shaving. These issues could all be eliminated by providing a salary for college athletes on all levels.

Another main factor for student athletes choosing a school is the tuition fees. Especially for top Division I schools, the tuition is higher than most. Players would be able to afford decent meals, housing, and be able to send money back home. Many of these athletes come from urban, lower class families and have to leave school because of unimaginable pressure to be the main provider for their family at a young age. These top notch athletes don’t even have the opportunity to work and earn money because their schedules are filled with training, school, games, and practices.

Most college athletes on the Division II and III levels are done with their sport after college. Most do not continue to the pro level. Many of these athletes work hard day in and day out, and don’t get paid a cent for the time they put into being a collegiate athlete.

By giving athletes the money they deserve with all the revenue these schools generate, it will maximize long term benefits for the school, and keep the athletes and coaches happy.