College Football: Should Players Be Paid to Play?

In defense of players who have recently violated NCAA rules, many sports analysts have been throwing the idea of paying college players around rather than holding them responsible for their actions.

The problem is not a matter of money but one of the mindset of today’s college athlete.

It is very easy to say that players at major college football programs bring in billions of dollars in revenue for the schools and they should be rewarded with some portion of these funds. 

What most who are quick to jump to that argument do not think about is the vast amount of money and benefits that college athletes currently get legally from their institutions.

First and foremost, they get a free education from a major university, which on average, costs approximately $47,000. 

There are hundreds of thousands of students at these same universities working multiple jobs to pay their own way while these athletes are being given this money for playing a game that they love.

So when analysts present the question of whether or not players should be paid, I say they already are.  That is what a scholarship is, a payment in the amount of a college education in exchange for skills that benefit the institution.

Whether it is in a science lab or on the field of play, it is a payment and an investment in a student’s career.

Second, athletes at major universities are given benefits that other students do not receive like meals, housing, clothing and entertainment.

There is also the argument that gets thrown around a lot about how student athletes cannot have part-time jobs to pay for their day-to-day expenses.

The guys that are good enough to even warrant a conversation about being paid to play college athletics are on full scholarship, which means that their tuition, books and room and board are paid for. 

The NCAA allows student athletes to work part-time jobs in the summer and other approved times off, but limits the earnings to around $2,500 which is enough to cover nominal incidental expenses.

To live a normal and modest college lifestyle, no student needs more than $2,500 per year.

It may not be enough to live a glamorous lifestyle that some athletes feel they are entitled to, but it is enough.

Let’s remember what started these conversations about paying players.  It was student athletes selling their memorabilia to pay for tattoos, not basic necessities. 

Finally, athletes are given the opportunity to interview for a job on national television, a benefit that your average student in the college of engineering most likely will never receive.

If they are successful on the field, they have the opportunity to earn millions of dollars, again, for playing a game that they love.

If not, they got to play the game a little longer than most, and they have a debt-free education that can be used to earn a living.

The problem is not one of money.  These athletes, like any other college students, can get by fine on very little. 

The problem is that today’s athlete has a feeling of entitlement and feels like the world should be given to them on a silver platter immediately.

While most college students live a meager and modest lifestyle while getting their education, work for years afterwards to pay off student loans and then get to enjoy the hard-earned fruits of their labor in their older years, college athletes expect to live like superstars when they are 18.

Paying players more than what they already receive would be a huge mistake and the downfall of college athletics.

Student athletes need to understand the blessings that they are being given and take advantage of their opportunity rather than cry about money.

Playing college football is a privilege, not a right.  If players are not happy receiving a college education as compensation for playing football, then they have every right to do something else with their life.

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