Analysis On Why Student Athletes Should Be Paid

Since college sports generate more than $11 billion dollars in revenue from broadcast rights, ticket sales, and sponsorship rights; many people believe that student-athletes should be paid the amount of money being made. The money that is being generated by revenue is later passed on to NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) executives, coaches, and athletic directors in forms of salaries. On average, NCAA head football coaches receive $2.1 million in salaries and are considered the highest paid employee in 40 states along with NCAA basketball coaches. However, coaches at Division 1 schools such as Jim Harbaugh, Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, and many more average salaries that are above $7 million a year, 7 times the amount a division 2 or 3 coach makes a year.

This brings up the conversation of unfair compensation between athletes. If student-athletes were to be paid, there would be unfair pay for athletes throughout different sports. For example, football and basketball players for division 1 schools would be paid more than those who play volleyball, baseball, softball, etc. Unfair compensation would also be involved in the sport itself because those who start on a team would make more than those who are considered 2nd or 3rd string. This would bring havoc to Universities and the only way to make this work would be to pay every athlete in every sport the same