Do you think college athletes should be paid?

[Colleen27]

Really?

My son attends the University of Cincinnati. they took in more than 23 million bucks in revenue from football and they are at THE BOTTOM of the revenue list in the Big East (their conference).

Ohio state took in almost 100 million bucks.

And you can't understand why the programs are well funded? Can you name any scholastic program that will generate that type of revenue consistently?

Very, very few schools take in enough revenue from their athletic programs to cover the expenses of the program. Only a handful, really, even among the big name teams. Cincinnati, for example, had almost $50M in NCAA expenditures (across all sports) with the college funding $16.5M of that. And that's a pretty successful program. Take a look at less recognized schools like Eastern Michigan and you find that the school foots $24M of the $28M bill for their NCAA programs. At a time when the rising cost of college are deterring bright students from pursuing higher education and student loan debt has long since topped $1 trillion, does it really make sense for students' tuition and states' educational funding dollars to go towards extensive athletic programs?

ETA: The numbers come from USA Today's rankings of college athletic programs at http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/schools/finances/

 

[TLSnell1981]

Yes!!!!! Many of these kids come from poor families, who are unable to help with the necessities, much less a little spending money. The rules, regarding employment are tough.

The schools a make a lot of $$$$$$$$$ off these kids. They need enough to go to a movie or grab a pizza. Gosh, some would even like to go on a date. They need clothing, gas and/or bus fare, etc. I'm not saying, pay them a huge amount, but enough to do normal things.

I've seen too many good kids end up in trouble, over a free meal or a pair of sneakers. It's about time they receive some form of payment.

 

[Art 1]

Yes!!!!! Many of these kids come from poor families, who are unable to help with the necessities, much less a little spending money. The rules, regarding employment are tough.

The schools a make a lot of $$$$$$$$$ off these kids. They need enough to go to a movie or grab a pizza. Gosh, some would even like to go on a date. They need clothing, gas and/or bus fare, etc. I'm not saying, pay them a huge amount, but enough to do normal things.

I've seen too many good kids end up in trouble, over a free meal or a pair of sneakers. It's about time they receive some form of payment.

Would you have all the athletes getting a stipend or only the one's from poor families? And how would you determine the need?

 

[luvsJack]

I think the main thing is that football tends to be the most profitable and physically demanding sport (my generalization, I could be wrong). There is no female equivilant.

My earlier generalization that seemed to offend you had that in mind when I responded. I believe the Gators (my Alma mater) are already in workouts. If they waited until August, they would never be ready. (I could be mistaken, but the Orange and Blue game that everyone looks forward to is the first time they can scrimmage. But my memory may be off as I do not follow football that closely.)

To the bolded, I am not sure what you are talking about but you never offended me.


Football is usually the most profitable, but not always the most physically demanding. While I grant you that they take a lot of punishment to their body, the skills involved in other sports take just as much training and practice.

Other things are just as demanding on a student's time as football is. And the time is what we are talking about here.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Would you have all the athletes getting a stipend or only the one's from poor families? And how would you determine the need

I think, everyone should receive the same stipend, regardless of financial guidelines.

 

[sam_gordon]

I think, everyone should receive the same stipend, regardless of financial guidelines.

Can we classify "everyone"?

Is it everyone on a team? Players, managers, trainers? Only those on scholarship? Only those on full scholarship? Only those who play?

Does the women's lacrosse player at East Stradsburg University get the same stipend as a basketball player at Duke? Does it depend on the cost of living in the area?

Yes, football brings in the most money. However, how much of that money goes to help support "non-revenue" sports?

 

[Art 1]

I think, everyone should receive the same stipend, regardless of financial guidelines.

I agree, but it wouldn't work that way. It would be seen as unfair.

 

[CPT Tripss]

The kids see their head coach pulling in millions each year and would like some of that action. The athletes are risking life and limb, not the coaches. But wait -- the guys also get mega training, improve their skills, and if it weren't for the university, how would the pro-scouts know they exist?

As a PP mentioned, I'm concerned about how much each player would get paid and how much of it would be under the table (like it is today) from wealthy alum. Would there be a salary cap?

Kobe, Moses, KG . . . How many more do you need?

 

[EMAW_KSU]

I agree, but it wouldn't work that way. It would be seen as unfair.

Does a football player on scholarship receive less if he comes from a family that is financially secure?

 

[CPT Tripss]

Nope, because then the academic institution would not have to give the athlete an education. That is the main reason they are there.

Many schools do not educate athletes. This years NCAA basketball champion was not allowed in the playoffs last years because they had a lousy graduation rate.

 

[Art 1]

Does a football player on scholarship receive less if he comes from a family that is financially secure?

No, he shouldn't. But he probably would get less, or nothing.

 

[ICF]

Many schools do not educate athletes. This years NCAA basketball champion was not allowed in the playoffs last years because they had a lousy graduation rate.

There are plenty of resources available to athletes in order to succeed in school. If the players dont take it seriously, that's on them.

Take a school like Kentucky....they started 5 freshman. Most all of them will be gone to the NBA in 3 months. They have little to no motivation except to make it through first semester with passing grades as they know they wont be back and likely wont even bother to go to class now that the season is over.

 

[CPT Tripss]

No, the point that poster is trying to make is that people only pay money to watch boys play college sports.

But once you make it about revenue generating athletes, the arguement that they don't have time becomes a red herrring. Plenty of non reveue generating athletes are training and playing just as many hours as football and basketball players.

Heap, and with few exceptions, those participating in non-revenue sports at the collegiate level have a slim to none chance of making measurable money out of their sport if they stay around and graduate.

Would you have all the athletes getting a stipend or only the one's from poor families? And how would you determine the need?

FAFSA? Seems to work OK for plain old students.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

To the bolded, I am not sure what you are talking about but you never offended me.


Football is usually the most profitable, but not always the most physically demanding. While I grant you that they take a lot of punishment to their body, the skills involved in other sports take just as much training and practice.

Other things are just as demanding on a student's time as football is. And the time is what we are talking about here.

Fair enough.

If you notice, I am in favor of some type of stipend and profit sharing (on money made off the likeness (or name) of an athlete) across the board for all sports.

The argument is that there shouldn't be favor to one sport over another for such a policy. The justification is that several sports just do not allow time for a student to do anything else but have their free time devoted to the sport.

So saying compensation shouldn't take place because a specific less demanding sport has plenty of time for employment isn't fair to the sports where so much more is required of the athlete even of both sports offer full scholarships.

 

[CPT Tripss]

There are plenty of resources available to athletes in order to succeed in school. If the players dont take it seriously, that's on them.

Take a school like Kentucky....they started 5 freshman. Most all of them will be gone to the NBA in 3 months. They have little to no motivation except to make it through first semester with passing grades as they know they wont be back and likely wont even bother to go to class now that the season is over.

Is that the player's problem? They are only in school so they don't get rusty before the NBA allows them to be drafted or sign a contract. Schools like UK and UConn are simply exploiting these kids.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I agree, but it wouldn't work that way. It would be seen as unfair.

I've really come to dislike the word "fair".

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Can we classify "everyone"?

Is it everyone on a team? Players, managers, trainers? Only those on scholarship? Only those on full scholarship? Only those who play?

Does the women's lacrosse player at East Stradsburg University get the same stipend as a basketball player at Duke? Does it depend on the cost of living in the area?

Yes, football brings in the most money. However, how much of that money goes to help support "non-revenue" sports?

A stipend is for living expenses.

Scholarship is different. There are loan programs for tuition assistance. There are not for living expenses beyond basic dorm/meal plan.

I would expect stipends to be determined by the NCAA. I would expect it to be the same regardless of location to cover what a full ride or partial plus loans or just loans doesn't cover. Something like $1000 or so a semester. Roughly what a basic part time job would provide. And by everyone -- I would include ALL student players who must follow NCAA requirements.

The player who is a 3rd string walk on is subject to the same time requirements of the first string star athlete. Thus, he (or she) would have the same issues with supplementing income.

Are managers and trainers students? Are these jobs part of a degree program as an internship? Do they not make money?

I know cheerleaders was mentioned. If They are subject to NCAA rules, them they would be included.

 

[sam_gordon]

Heap, and with few exceptions, those participating in non-revenue sports at the collegiate level have a slim to none chance of making measurable money out of their sport if they stay around and graduate.

Out of all the collegiate football players across the country, how many actually make measurable money from playing football?
Out of all the collegiate basketball players across the country, how many actually make measurable money from playing basketball?
Out of all the collegiate baseball players across the country, how many actually make measurable money from playing baseball?

 

[soccerdad72]

Is that the player's problem? They are only in school so they don't get rusty before the NBA allows them to be drafted or sign a contract. Schools like UK and UConn are simply exploiting these kids.

There's enough exploitation to go around.

The NBA created part of the problem by changing their rules about high school players. Colleges use the players to win right away and know that they're likely leaving in one or two years. And the players are using the colleges as extended training camps before they turn pro.

It is a shame that there's "scholar-athletes" out there without a dime to their name, but the whole thing is a total mess right now. The NCAA has some pretty asinine rules about what players can and can't do or earn, all to try to rein in all the under the table stuff that will likely never stop.

Unfortunately, it's the actual student/athlete who is there for both an education and to play a sport that ends up getting hurt. For every Shabazz Napier, there's 99 kids who just want to play and get a degree -- and be able to go catch a movie once in a while.

 

[TLSnell1981]

A stipend is for living expenses.

Scholarship is different. There are loan programs for tuition assistance. There are not for living expenses beyond basic dorm/meal plan.

I would expect stipends to be determined by the NCAA. I would expect it to be the same regardless of location to cover what a full ride or partial plus loans or just loans doesn't cover. Something like $1000 or so a semester. Roughly what a basic part time job would provide. And by everyone -- I would include ALL student players who must follow NCAA requirements.

The player who is a 3rd string walk on is subject to the same time requirements of the first string star athlete. Thus, he (or she) would have the same issues with supplementing income.

Are managers and trainers students? Are these jobs part of a degree program as an internship? Do they not make money?

I know cheerleaders was mentioned. If They are subject to NCAA rules, them they would be included.

Good post! My thoughts are along this line too, but my hands hurt too bad to type a lengthy post.