The NCAA's Money Issue: Why Student-Athletes Should Be Paid

On the brink of a new season of NCAA basketball, it is worth noting the amount of issues regarding the eligibility of superb collegiate athletes from not only basketball, but in football as well. By now, it has been well documented that the college football landscape has been polluted with the undercover payment of players based on Sports Illustrated’s revolutionary article detailing the stories of agent Josh Luchs.

There are two situations that are worth noting that show what the NCAA cannot not avoid, unless dramatic steps are taken to ensure the well being of the student-athletes.

The first is pertaining to the Kansas University freshman Josh Selby. Arguably the nation’s top recruit, Bill Self and company expect Selby to step into the role that Sherron Collins left open after his departure to the NBA.

This sounds like a picture perfect situation for the Jayhawks, except for the fact that Selby has been suspected of having contact with the business manager of NBA star Carmelo Anthony. Although few facts have publicly surfaced regarding this matter the speculation alone is enough to capture the attention of the country.

On the other hand, Auburn superstar Cameron Newton, a 21 year-old quarterback from College Park, Georgia, is under fire for the allegations that Newton’s father, Cecil, put a price on Newton’s services while being recruited.  Newton spent his sophomore season playing football at a junior college in Texas after transferring from the University of Florida with some legal issues swirling around him. Newton’s immediate success with the Auburn Tigers has blown the speculation of the allegations against him into the national spotlight.

As proven by the immense tabloids and other media outlets present in the United States, people enjoy reading about the scandals surrounding high-profile characters. The previous two stories emulate that fact to perfection. But, lost in the midst of these allegations, the University of Texas just signed on to create the revenue-building Longhorn Network, set to televise all things Texas sports. And fortunately for the University, all things are bigger in Texas, including the returns from this network.

How these three situations relate has boiled college sports down to its most core debate for decades: Should college athletes be paid or compensated (besides the use of scholarships) by their respected universities or conferences?

In the eyes of both Shelby and Newton, it is clear that these superstar athletes bring in thousands and even millions of dollars in revenue every time they step out onto the court or field. They believe that it is reasonable to ask the University or other third parties for a share in the revenue pie of the conference that they make money for.

The Longhorn Network is just another example of the clear exploitations of the athletic prowess of these young men and women that make up the NCAA. Overall, this leads many star athletes to question the equality of the NCAA by asking for money for their many services.

Who to blame in this matter is for you to decide.

Josh Rosenblat is a high school student from Chicago looking to find a way to break into sports journalism. He often writes about the NBA (primarily the Chicago Bulls), as well as the MLB, college basketball, Tennis and the NFL. You can email him at [e-mail] or follow him on Twitter @JMRosenblat. Feel free to send him comments.

Visit Josh's Blog: The Rose Garden: Where Sports Fanatics and Writing Meet in Harmony.