Persuasive Essay on Student Athletes Should Be Compensated

Living life without remuneration is quite irritable and demanding. Many struggle, living day-to-day paychecks or even less than that. “In other words, student athletes were not allowed to sign any endorsement deals and make money off of their name, image, or likeness. Meanwhile though, the N.C.A.A. (National Collegiate Athletic Association) made $1 billion (about $3 per person in the US) in the 2016-2017 school year from collegiate sports, and institutions made money off of their student athletes as well.” Student athletes are a huge part of the athletics industry, however by these means they are not getting any compensation. Under these circumstances, student athletes should be compensated because they are no longer amateurs, they make up a fair number of others’ paychecks, and student athletes do not get much benefit from putting forth so many endeavors.  

Amateurism is deemed as someone who has not profited much from their sport, or someone who is just simply not good enough at the sport. Furthermore, they are not given a chance to profit or benefit from their names because of this amateurism. The N.C.A.A.’s rules are in place to maintain this amateurism, predominantly due to the want for making the pros look even better. These rules are more restrictive than necessary the Court says, but because of the Rule of Reason, which “requires that the N.C.A.A. permit its schools to provide up to the cost of attendance to their student athletes. It does not require more.” This means that the Court does not have much say in the matter so student athletes will continue to not be compensated. Due to all the uprising on the topic of amateurism, the N.C.A.A then later recommended a suspension of the rules that stated college athletes are not allowed to profit from their names. However, the athletes still would technically remain amateurs despite there being many pro level student athletes. It is truly unfortunate that not even the Court can stop the exploitational intentions of the N.C.A.A. 

There would be no athletics industry without players and people. Collegiate athletics is a huge business, some states like Ohio cashed in over $200 million from athletics alone in 2018, but hardly any of the money reaches the athletes who contributed to this hefty sum. The N.C.A.A. refuses to pay any of this sum to the student athletes because of their view on amateurs, many beg to differ and choose to perceive them as employees instead. Even university chancellors rank lower than coaches, everyone gets money, all but the athletes. Eventually, this will get to a point where children do not have any dreams or aspirations involving any sports because of this kind of student athlete compensation. The N.C.A.A. abuses these kinds of desperations and hopes in order to rack in some extra cash, how cruel. Not everyone is financially fit to risk physical injuries and not have to worry about debts which leads to why being compensated is particularly paramount for student athletes. 

Imagine working a risky job that requires the utmost effort and time, but on the contrary, you do not get paid or rewarded. That is the day in the life of a student athlete; training, practicing, and sweating for months upon months every day. “Nowhere else in America can businesses get away with agreeing to not pay their workers a fair market rate...” Justice Brett Kavanaugh stated in his opinion. It is easily overturned, but not compensating student athletes should be considered illegal from a realistic point of view. These athletes would no longer have to worry about taking physical risks that could end their careers they have so long strived for. They also would not have to worry about watching others around them make millions while they sweat, not even making more than a penny. In other words, what should student athletes be risking their careers for? Why shouldn’t they be putting effort into a different profession if they are not going to be compensated for at the college level for their needless hours of work? 

It is argued that student athletes should not be compensated because there are too many athletes and the only two sports that have remotely any popularity is basketball and football. Nonetheless, it is true that basketball and football are the two most admired sports, but all sports should be respected and recognized so compensation can be equal. In truth, everyone has their own likes and dislikes that fits their expertise of entertainment which varies in many sports. “A government official recently ruled that the football players at Northwestern University are employees of the university – not student athletes, as the colleges and N.C.A.A. claim. As employees, the players have the right to form a union and bargain over their working conditions.” There are no real reasons why student athletes should not be compensated, their hard-earned money is being given to others and the N.C.A.A. is using amateurism as an excuse to profit themselves. 

Hardwork and effort should be rewarded, not to others no matter one’s status. The N.C.A.A. may want to consider further relooking into the matter because the future of athletes is at hand.