10 Reasons Why College Athletes Should Be Paid

As of July 1st, 2021, the NCAA changed their long-standing policy and permitted college athletes to receive compensation for playing. For years, many top professional athletes and sports pundits have been vocal on the topic of college athletes being paid.

Here is our list of the top ten reasons why college athletes should be paid. Check out the list below and see why college athletes deserve to be compensated for playing.

When Were College Athletes Permitted to Be Paid?

Before we go into the lists of reasons why college athletes should be paid, let’s go over the NCAA’s new policy. However, it’s important to note that college athletes are not paid directly for playing in games. 

Instead college athletes can now be compensated off their “NIL”(Name, Image, & Likeness). Along  with being eligible to profit off their NIL, athletes can also make money from these activities:

• Endorsement Deals
• Sponsorship Agreements
• Social Media Promotions
• Autograph Signings
• Personal Appearances

Prior to the new NCAA ruling, college athletes were not allowed to be compensated for any of these activities. In fact, college athletes would quite often be forced to make appearances and sign autographs as an obligation for their schools.

1. Revenue Generation

Arguably the biggest argument for why college athletes should be paid is revenue generation. College sports generate billions of dollars in revenue for the NCAA and universities.

The NCAA and universities make money off of everything from television contracts, ticket sales, merchandise, and sponsorships.

Despite the fact that college athletes are the main reason why billions of dollars are generated, they receive nothing in return. This led to many questioning the fairness and equity of the NCAA and universities off the work of their athletes.

2. Full-Time Commitment 

For those wondering why college athletes should be paid, they need to understand that it’s a full-time commitment. College athletes spend well over 40 hours per week in preparation to play every season. 

Playing college sports is the equivalent to a full-time job. Due to this commitment and their studies, athletes don’t have time to get part-time jobs to eat and pay for expenses. Their hard work they put in every season deserves to be compensated.

3. Risk of Injury

The risk of injury is a big reason why college athletes should be paid. There have been so many accounts of pro-level college stars getting their dreams dashed due to severe injuries.

In the blink of an eye, a college sports star can have their hard work destroyed and left with nothing. Many college athletes also don’t have a stable financial security or access to extensive medical care.

The stakes and risks are high for these young athletes and paying them a small amount would provide stability for them.

4. Scholarship Limitations

While college scholarships cover tuition and some living expenses, they often don’t cover the full amount attending college. Most scholarship athletes have various expenses, such as books, food, travel, and other personal expenses.

A study by the National Institute of Health (NIL) also supports these claims. The study from 2022, showed these stats from Division I student athletes:

• 51% of Division I athletes reported eating less often than they felt they should due to less access to food.
• 73% reported going without food for an entire day during the season due to less access to enough food. 

5. Inequities in College Sports

The issue of inequity in college sports is a big reason why college athletes should be paid. Coaches at top universities rack in millions of dollars from their contracts.

While these coaches are making millions, the athletes doing most of the work aren’t seeing any compensation. Paying athletes would address this imbalance, ensuring that everyone involved in the financial gains are compensated for their work.

6. Exploitation Concerns 

Let’s be honest about the system of college sports. It’s a system that exploits their athletes, who generate millions of dollars in profit for their schools.

These student athletes break their bodies and minds to win games, while the NCAA and universities get rich from it. For example, the biggest college football stadiums hold over 80k people and ticket prices are up to $200.

On top of the price of a ticket to see the athletes pay, fans spend money on merchandise and concessions. For almost the entire existence of college sports, the athletes never saw a dime from this revenue.

This is a clear case of exploitation and a big reason why college athletes should be paid.

7. Educational Benefits

Those that are against college athlete pay always point out that the scholarship and educational opportunity is their compensation.The educational opportunity is exactly why college athletes should be paid.

Financial compensation could allow the athletes to focus more on their studies and reduce stress of paying for their expenses. It could also help them learn financial literacy and teach them how to manage money effectively in the future.

8. Professional Preparedness

Many college athletes aspire to one day play professional sports. Unfortunately for them, the harsh reality is only a fraction of a percent of them will make it.

Even if they do make it to the pro-level, the chances of going broke are higher than a pro career. This makes a good case for why college athletes should be paid.

Receiving compensation for their play in college would help them when they face the financial realities of being a pro athlete. The money they could make in college could give them a safety net in case they don’t make it.

They’ll be financially secure as they transition into the normal workforce.

9. NIL Rights

For decades, universities have been making money off the likenesses of their athletes and giving them nothing in return. This was why the college athletes should be paid debate was settled.

In professional sports or any other line of work, a company or organization must compensate employees for using their likeness.

10. Moral & Ethical Considerations

From a moral standpoint, paying college athletes is an issue of justice and fairness. The athletes’ contributions to their institutions is a big reason why college athletes should be paid.

Compensating them is the best form of acknowledging their work of generating income for their institutions.