This is one of the most highly debated questions to ever come into the spotlight in colleges across the United States. No matter what form or language you use to ask it, this controversial question has been asked time and time again for decades. There are good points to both sides, but the question remains to be answered. To give you the lowdown on everything that’s been stated in the past, today we’ll explore the ins and outs of the debate so you can make your own decision on a solid foundation of knowledge.
One of the most popular reasons as to why college students should get paid is due to injury. Let’s face it; college athletes give every game everything they have. Not only do they want to make themselves proud, but also their team, their coaches, the crowd and their college. You also never know when a talent scout may be present at a game. With this in mind, athletes will always give their all, and during a physical game, injuries can occur, injuries that can last for life.
Think back to 2013 when Louisville’s Kevin Ware blocked an opponent’s shot and injured his right leg in a terrifying and frankly gruesome way. Luckily, after six months, it healed, and he was able to return to play, but this was simply luck. If the break had been any more severe, he might not have been able to walk for the rest of his life. However, this isn’t a rare occurrence. With athletes putting the condition of their health and lifelong well-being on the line every single game, surely pay for these games would go without saying?
However, to balance this point, many argue that college students already get paid for their time and play through other benefits and methods, such as scholarships. If your college wins the national championships, each player receives free education, accommodation as well as other financial benefits to help pay for textbooks and other day-to-day essentials. This isn’t a loan either; this is money that they’ll never have to give back.
On the other hand, college athletes contribute a huge amount of money to the local economy. You may have heard of March Madness, a NCAA television segment that revolves around college football, a contract that’s worth over $11 billion. It’s also renowned for being one of the most watched sporting events in the U.S. However, it’s fair to say that athletes themselves don’t see any of this money, although the benefits for the college that wins during this time is unparalleled, as do the teams credit and following. It seems only fair that the athletic stars should get paid for their contribution?
Unfortunately, the lists of pros and cons go on and on and on, and it seems that, unless the government passes legislation to enforce pay as an essential part of college life, it will solely depend on each college and the will of its community.
