Persuasive Essay on Student Athletes Should Be Paid

Colleges have always reaped in profit due to their sports games; there's currently a debate on whether this profit should be distributed to college athletes. College football and basketball teams have earned millions annually through their games, theythat are also exposed to media attention. Student athletes have never earned any money from the games, even if they’re the reason it was successful. Many believe exposure to the media is enough compensation for these young athletes. Student athletes should be paid because their laborious work for training must be compensated fairly and their hard work has led to educational setbacks, colleges will also help athletes substantially by paying them since athletes struggle with several finance issues.   

Student athletes deserve payment in return for the several hours put into their sport, leading them to miss other academic opportunities. Student athletes receive zero pay for their efforts and sacrifices, which is unfair. According to Richard Samuel, a former student athlete himself, athletes have an incredibly tedious work routine. Samuel states athletes easily spend “forty hours per week on their sports” (Text 2, line 10). This causes athletes to have such little time, Samuel proceeds to state the consequences of this busy routine, stating “[Athletes] would spend way more time on sports than academics” (Text 2, line 13) Athletes sacrifice their time and educational opportunities for their sport, this hard work results in millions of dollars for colleges. Student athletes deserve compensation for their high efforts. Not only do students deserve compensation, but they need it in order to maintain a steady lifestyle they fight to achieve.  

Colleges earn millions through these sport games, sharing the profits with student athletes can easily help athletes lift the struggles of expenses and poverty. Student Athletes' struggles can be easily solved if colleges paid their athletes. According to several sources, a college earns incredible income through games, this income has been calculated and estimated, “The college sports industry generates $11 billion annually” (Text 1, line 1) With all this money generated, paying athletes shouldn’t be a financial issue. College Students are known to struggle financially despite all the necessities they are given, student athletes are no exception to struggling with finances, it states“Athletes are often short a few thousand bucks for aicallery expenses….85 percent of college athletes are below the poverty line” (Text 2,line 17-18)student athletes shouldn't have to struggle, they deserve less tension from finances, because the money colleges receive should also be distributed with them. Despite all this many still believe exposure to the media is valid payment for these athletes. 

Along with earning millions, colleges get mass media attention, many believe the exposure caused by the media is valid payment for athletes, since exposure led to a range of advantages for many. Multiple sources like to point out that many student athletes have started successful careers that pay well. According to one source, they state “[Athletes] are gaming exposure that's bound to pay off in endorsements and a nice contract the moment they turn pro” (Text 3, line 26) if colleges helped athletes earn careers and later more profit, they don't need to be paid by the colleges themselves. However, exposure doesn’t help all athletes in the longer run, due to its flaws. Take Ed’ O'Bannon for example, he was drafted by the NBA due to his exposure, but the exposure did not give Bannon a  full career. Bannons career is highlighted and it is stated “[Bannon] earned close to four million dollars during a brief and disappointing NBA career” (Text 3, line 33) Despite the major earning Bannon earned, his career was admittingly disappointing. Bannons career contradicts the statement about how successful exposure is, because it still led to an unsuccessful case. Exposure is simply a side effect with becoming a full time college athlete, and shouldnt be taken as justifiable payment. 

Student athletes deserve to get paid because their hard work earns colleges millions of dollars. Students are not only entitled to compensation, they need it in order to live through their financial setbacks. Exposure shouldnt be taken as valid payment because there’s a chance that it will not always lead to success, exposure is better seen as a minor contribution to being an athlete.  Colleges need to pay student athletes for their huge contributions to earning  mass profits.