By Boris Pavlov
Athletics are an integral part of many peoples’ lives throughout their High School and College life. However, to the players who participate competitively at a University level, the game simply isn’t made for their benefit. The USA is particularly known for their highly selective varsity teams at this level, yet the players who devote their time and skills to the endeavors often don’t get worthwhile compensation.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) imposes rules and regulations that prevent the student athletes from profiting from their recognition and fame. Due to this 99% of the revenue generated by the athletes goes to the coaches, with a mere 1% going to athletes by way of scholarships. With such unfair conditions surrounding student athletes, corrupt practises are often employed to retain athletes who perform outstandingly well. The NCAA has not changed its stance on student athletes profiting from their recognition. Instead, FBI investigations are launched routinely into the illicit recruiting of athletes.
Student athletes’ GPA is often inflated by “phantom courses” in order for them not to be placed on academic probation. Moreover, concussions from American Football Games severely impact the athletes competing in this sport, who receive no compensation for the enduring trauma.
This exploitation, however, is easily preventable. Professionalizing College sports to pay their athletes would make their participation justified, as could establishing leagues overseen by the professional league of that sport instead of the NCAA. Another idea to solve this imbalance could be to reduce television revenues and coach salaries, in order to incentivise College presidents to not work with the NCAA.
Overall, the reality of high-level College sports is not one which is often debated, however it remains an important issue which affects thousands of Student athletes.
