The issue of whether college athletes should be paid for their time and effort in playing a sport is a topic of controversy.  Some argue that being a student-athlete is a full-time job and therefore deserves a paycheck.  Others believe that student-athletes are already being paid their scholarship money through the education they are receiving.  Although the National Collegiate Athletic Association is currently against paying college athletes, there is much support for changing this standard.

There are several reasons why people think it is a good idea to pay student-athletes.  Sports such as football and basketball generate a lot of money for colleges with popular televised games, such as the wildly popular March Madness.  Athletic conferences and team coaches make millions per season, while the players receive none of it.  The average Division 1 player spends about 43 hours a week practicing and training.  As playing a sport takes up so much time, he or she is usually unable to get a “real” job.  This makes it hard for  the athlete to afford simple necessities, such as meal plans.  Also, the player rarely receives compensation from the NCAA in the event that he or she sustains a career-ending injury.  Every day the player is at risk of getting hurt. Where is the money for medical and treatment costs? Supporters believe that student-athletes should be treated as employees for the amount of profit and attention they bring to the school that they play for.

On the other hand, many argue that student-athletes should continue without pay, as they already have an advantage over students uninvolved in athletics.  Student-athletes receive scholarship money for tuition, board, and textbooks.  Most do not have the heavy burden of student loans that  their peers tend to have.  They get a lot of school necessities paid for, so why do they need the additional money?  And if student-athletes were paid, there would be an even finer line between them and professional athletes.  They are students, not workers, who need to focus on their education rather than playing sports for the entertainment of others.

Paying athletes is unfair as certain sports bring in much more money than others.  If the NCAA does decide to pay college athletes, there needs to be standards set to ensure that they are fair for everyone.