whether college athletes should be paid

Meta Description: Many favour giving compensation to student-athletes, but many are against this argument. Who wins and why?

Whether college athletes should be paid

Pay for playing? Should college students who play as athletes get their compensation, or should they not be compensated? That is the biggest question many parents, as well as students, ask themselves. Is there a big issue if the athletes who are still students play without getting any money? Well, it is for some.

Those loud cheers are jam-packed stadiums with ticket prices of 10 dollars or more. Plus, gruelling workout sessions, scorching heat, everyday practice matches, and games more to combine with rigorously challenging classes and schedules - all these things make student-athletes some warriors.

However, nowadays, amateurs who are student-athletes are only compensated with scholarships and trophies. All the expenses of equipment to dress, among other things, creates a burden on students. The amount received through a scholarship is not sufficient to cover all these expenditures and the college fees.

Many athletes come into sports backgrounds from families with limited incomes and study and get through college by using their prize money or grants. Their college's authorities pressure some students, parents, colleagues and fans to perform well at any cost. Nowadays, sports are no longer played because someone enjoys them. However, it is played to earn some extra bucks and create some respect for themselves.

Should student-athletes get their salary?

So, whether a student should be compensated for hard work or get money for participation in such tournaments? Here, there are two arguments. One that if a college pays its athletes, will it compensate all students equally and still manage other expenses of continuing the program.

If every athlete is compensated just because he is playing, the college might come under debt, and the program or some sports activities might get cancelled due to a lack of funds. On the other hand, if such tournaments and programs to encourage students to play sports get cancelled, there would be no players in the future.  

Disadvantages of students getting their salaries

The following argument would be that compensating students just because they play will help promote corruption or unfair means. Someone would like to sponsor a rich kid, not the one who has talent. Moreover, if the pay were equal for everyone, no one would put in extra hard work and win tournaments. A small amount that would help students cover all their extra expenses should be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Why do athletes believe that they must be compensated?

Students believe that they should be compensated as they put in their hard work, and sometimes injury can add extra expenses to them. In contrast, some argue that sports scholarship schemes do not cover all gaming-related expenditures.

2. How are athletes paid in some institutions?

Some institutions and academies pay students grants and cover their other expenses. They also take care of their health. They are given prize money, grants and scholarships as well.

3. Do these students attend their regular classes?

Yes, student-athletes are advised to attend classes as well. They must balance each other.

4. Why do some colleges not pay these students?

Some colleges do not pay for playing in the tournament organized by the college because they believe it will encourage corruption and believe they have not become professional yet.

5. Some benefits that these student-athletes have?

Some of the benefits are:

  • They get to play at some tournaments
  • They get free tuition.
  • They can get help from college advisors and professionals as well.