Amateurism and the Debate on Compensating College Athletes

The grand debate of whether to pay college athletes or not is an ongoing, complex discussion that intertwines issues of fairness, economics, and tradition. Proponents argue for compensation, while opponents point out the many amenities already provided to college athletes, suggesting that these can be viewed as a form of indirect payment. At the heart of this debate lies the concept of amateurism, which holds that people should not receive any material award when participating in a sport. Many don’t fully grasp the commitment and passion required to become a college athlete, and this lack of understanding can lead to misconceptions, such as the idea that athletes might develop narcissistic personality disorder, potentially jeopardizing their athletic careers.

Historical Context of Amateurism

The revised history of amateurism dates back to the late 19th and 20th centuries, evolving significantly over time. A notable moment illustrating the popularity of college sports occurred during the 57th inaugural induction of former President Barack Obama, which garnered 20 million views. Only four months later, Louisville defeated Michigan in the national championship, attracting 3 million more views than the inauguration (Robert Lemons 1). This comparison suggests that the nation is more willing to watch a championship game of men’s college basketball than the words of their leader, highlighting the cultural significance of college athletics. This popularity sets the stage for the ongoing debate regarding the payment of college athletes.

Economic Disparities in Sports

The economic landscape of professional and collegiate sports further complicates the debate. Professional athletes have seen pay raises increase by 5%, whereas collegiate athletes have experienced no change despite increased viewership (Gaines 2). Some argue that college sports are more enjoyable to watch precisely because athletes are not compensated; they believe these athletes try harder to become professionals and earn compensation for their hard work. Meanwhile, others find the topic of amateurism tedious, leading to disinterest in the entire subject of athlete compensation.

Another layer of complexity arises in the disparity between different sports. While players in popular sports, such as football and basketball, may receive some form of compensation, athletes in less popular sports like lacrosse, girls' volleyball, and swimming often receive nothing. This disparity is a reflection of capitalism, where life choices often lead to unequal outcomes. In life, we make choices about which classes to take, which majors to pursue, which people to associate with, and which activities to partake in. An example of this disparity is that the most esteemed professor at Alabama might never earn $5.9 million in their entire tenure, while Nick Saban, Alabama’s football head coach, earns that amount annually.

Perspectives on Compensation

The debate has garnered national attention, prompting big-time ESPN host Michael Wilbon to voice his concerns. Wilbon and many others believe that tuition, room, board, and books constitute sufficient compensation. However, the majority of people do not understand the commitment required to play a college sport, whether it's swimming or men's basketball. Collegiate sports are more demanding than high school sports, with seasons lasting year-round compared to the 3-5 months typical of high school sports. College sports require an annual commitment, and the notion of pay-for-play at best is a logistical nightmare. Questions arise about where the money would come from and how to pay college football players the same amount as swim team or women's volleyball athletes. An answer to these questions could lead to an $11 billion deal between the NCAA and CBS Sports. Universities might consider taking a generous $1.3 billion off this deal to compensate athletes (Wilbon 1). Such compensation could potentially motivate athletes to excel in their activities.

However, the question arises again: how do universities compensate athletes equitably? For instance, consider Andrew Luck, a former Stanford quarterback and face of the university. Why should he receive more pay than Matt Anderson, captain of the swim team? Athletes must recognize that capitalism rules apply, and the activities they partake in are the primary revenue sources for universities. Universities recruit athletes to commit to their programs, investing time and effort to ensure both their own and the university's success.

The Passion of College Athletes

In college sports, two types of passion are prevalent: harmonious and obsessive. Passion, defined as an inclination towards a self-defining activity, is expressed by coaches, referees, and fans alike, all driven by the exceptional athletes they admire. In college athletics, we mostly experience harmonious passion, which occurs when one accepts an activity candidly and strives to find and expand upon their passion (Jacobs 3). This passion increases the will and drive to become the best, motivating athletes to pursue professionalism or seek compensation for their university play (Wilbon 2).

The NCAA's Role and Revenue

The NCAA plays a significant role in overseeing every transaction within university sports, regardless of the sport. A large portion of the NCAA's revenue comes from the Men’s Basketball Tournament, famously known as March Madness, which recently generated over 1 billion dollars (Cockrell 2). The NCAA mandates that collegiate athletes compete without salary to maintain their amateur status, which many believe would change if compensation were achieved, shifting athletes from amateur to professional status. This shift could alter their commitment to each activity and their pursuit of professionalism (Lemons 1). The NCAA is aware of the improbability of an athlete becoming a professional and maintains that preserving amateurism is crucial to an athlete's academic enjoyment.

Many universities hope that amateurism does not become obsolete due to changing circumstances, such as the profit each athletic program generates, which can impact university revenue, often negatively (Institutes of Sports Law and Ethics 5). The NCAA is fighting to maintain amateurism based on each department's earnings and how athletes are compensated. Universities need to consider whether the NCAA's rules restricting athlete compensation affect their field or classroom performance. A study found that 92 percent of Division 1 universities agree that they coordinate athletic compensation, primarily for football and basketball players, while the remaining 8 percent have no opinion on athletic programs and compensation (Lemons 2).

Cultural Trends and the Influence of Capitalism

Cultural trends have undoubtedly influenced college athletics. The capitalist movement swept across the nation, infiltrating universities and shifting athletes' motivations from playing as a hobby to seeking a better life. Many college athletes developed severe personality disorders like narcissism, which often display an inability to empathize and a lack of regard for others, leading them to feel entitled to compensation for their time, effort, and commitment to their athletic programs (Elman 1). College athletes witness professionals displaying these traits and perceive them as the norm in the spotlight.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if the NCAA decides to pay student-athletes, salary cuts will likely be necessary for those in charge of the organization. They could provide athletes with money for each quarter they participate in their sport. Many believe that college athletes should receive payment for their hard work and the risk of sustaining severe injuries, such as concussions, which can be career-ending or life-threatening. Other injuries, like knee injuries, can take months to heal, potentially ending their season prematurely. Professional athletes train hard daily, much like student-athletes; however, pros don't attend classes and complete coursework. Most college students will never have the chance to become professionals and get paid to play sports. Therefore, college athletes must have a Plan B, focusing on obtaining a major that demands as much attention as their sport. College athletes have little time to engage in activities outside their sport. The NCAA profits from each student-athlete, while they receive no direct compensation.

Did you like this example?

483

20