Pros of Paying College Athletes:
- The paying of college athletes would help to provide income for the student athletes. As most athletes are not allowed to have a job and gain valuable work experience most nonathletes have access to, the athletes will then be able to get money to buy personal things or extra meals outside of what they get with their meal plan and team meals.
- There can be a stop in corruption due to the legalization of paying college athletes. Throughout history of college athletics, boosters, coaches, students and big time fans have promised students big time deals under the table for that athlete to come to the university. If the athletes were allowed to be paid, these forms of corruption would be ineffective as the athlete would be making the profit legally through the university already.
- Athletes who have dedicated their lives to a sport could be able to help provide some means of funding to their families. Families support an athlete and pay for a lot during this young person's childhood career. Paying thousands of dollars for food, travel, hotels and pay to play fees for the athletes adds up. Being able to give back and somewhat reimburse their family is something an athlete always dreams about and would be available to them if they were paid.
- This would also ensure to many people that the money is going to a good source: the athletes actually partaking in the very demanding sport. Instead of all the excess profit going to a company already making a massive profit for broadcasting, it will go to the actual entertainment.
Cons of Paying College Athletes:
- A students education may take a back seat to the financial obligation they have to their sport. Athletes getting paid would essentially tie them more to the sport than they would be to their schooling. Paying the athletes could cause somebody to take advantage of this money too and not use it to complete their education. It is a distraction from the main reason one goes to college.
- Equal pay amongst players is also a considerable issue. How can you determine if one athlete gets more than the other while both of them are "not there only for sports". It will also make it an issue for an athlete in choosing a college. Will they just go somewhere because they can get more money at that school?
- Gives athletes more money to do troubling things and have chances to screw up their lives because of money and premature fame.
- Some believe the athletes are already pampered as they recieve a lot of "gear" including shoes, backpacks, swearsuits, jackets etc. and do not need anymore than what they are receiving.
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