Introduction
The financial compensation of college athletes is a recurring theme in the current media. Although not professional players, student-athletes have schedules, which may be equally taxing on their time, health, and physique (Thacker 185). Meanwhile, students also experience significant learning pressure, which further stresses their resources. Disproportionate distribution of earnings from winnings, motivation issues, and significant health risks determine the necessity of implementing financial compensation for college athletes.
Distribution of Earnings
First, college athletes contribute directly to their institutions’ sources of income. One of the reasons why colleges are interested in having sports teams lies in the profit gained from athletes’ victories. However, the lack of distribution of earnings among students who were responsible for such outcomes is a common complaint (Wallsten et al. 209). Paying athletes will allow them to feel properly rewarded for their efforts.
Motivation
Second, paying college athletes will increase their motivation to win. In the sphere of athletic scholarships, the most financially compensated group consists of coaches. Their salaries have grown significantly over the recent years, which has led to the criticism of coaches using students as free labor, thus disincentivizing the latter (Allison et al. 68). Financial compensation of athletes will encourage them to put more effort and win.
Health Issues
Third, paying athletes will address the risks that students face when participating in college-driven sports. All games have a certain degree of health risks for participants. However, unlike professional athletes who are appropriately compensated and can manage their health issues, college athletes do not have the means to ensure subsequent healthcare needs (Edelman 1140). Financial compensation will help students pay for medical services and prevent possible physical limitations.
Conclusion
Altogether, fair distribution of income, motivation potential, and better management of health risks constitute the reasons for paying college athletes. Sports are an important part of life inside modern educational institutions, which demand significant efforts from students who are simultaneously expected to ensure their academic progress as well. The lack of financial compensation makes participation in college sports increasingly taxing and unattractive. Rewarding college athletes will improve the cost-benefit ratio significantly in their favor.
Works Cited
Allison, Rachel, et al. “Public Opinions about Paying College Athletes and Athletes Protesting During the National Anthem: A Focus on Race/ethnicity and Political Identities.” Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race, vol. 19, no. 1, 2022, pp. 61-83.
Edelman, Marc. “From Student-Athletes to Employee-Athletes: Why a Pay for Play Model of College Sports Would Not Necessarily Make Educational Scholarships Taxable.” Boston College Law Review, vol. 58, 2017, pp. 1137-1168.
Thacker, Dalton. “Amateurism vs. Capitalism: A Practical Approach to Paying College Athletes.” Seattle Journal for Social Justice, vol. 16, 2017, pp. 183-216.
Wallsten, Kevin, et al. “Prejudice or principled conservatism? Racial Resentment and White Opinion toward Paying College Athletes.” Political Research Quarterly, vol. 70, no. 1, 2017, pp. 209-222.