Should College Athletes Be Paid Essay Example

Visualize waking up early in the morning and spending all day at work just for someone else to make money. Student athletes have workouts, practices, games, and tons of schoolwork, just for the schools they play for to make millions. Having such a busy schedule can take a physical and mental toll on someone. The athletes do not have any time to make money; therefore, they do not have extra money for things to enjoy themselves. Although some athletes are given food, practice clothes, and a place to stay, they need money to enjoy and save. They also need money when they get out of college. These college athletes are treated like professional athletes, bringing revenue to their school and physically risking their bodies with no benefit.
College athletes put in many hours for their school without receiving financial recognition. Coaches and staff receive all the financial recognition, which yes they have a part in it, but none of the wins and championships would happen without the players. Nick Saban has an annual salary of 59.3 million dollars, but he would not have as many opportunities and wins without his players (“Should College Athletes be Paid: Why or Why Not?”). Athletes needs spending money outside of tuition, room and board because they need to enjoy other things other than their sport. People are worried that paid athletes will think they do not need an education (“Should College Athletes Be Paid: Why or Why Not?”). Another concern is that secondary sports would suffer, such as soccer and basketball (Drozdowski). Just because these sports are not watched as much or the players are as known as football players, does not mean they put in any less effort than the more popular sports. They should still receive a salary; obviously not as high as sports that make more money. Also, people are concerned people will lose interest in college sports, and the NCAA will not be relevant anymore because it will be too similar to professional sports. Which I do not know why because the athletes getting paid does not change the fact that it is a college sports team. These athletes are working so hard, and they deserve some financial recognition. 
Student athletes, as said in the name, are treated as professional athletes and college students. Yes, college athletes are not professionals, yet they are asked to act like one, eat like one, train like one, all while having school at the same time (Reyes). Playing sports remains a physical risk and a long-time commitment, which leads to nothing if athletes do not play after college (“Should College Athletes Be Paid: Why or Why Not?”). These athletes wake up at the crack of dawn with a day that consists of: weights, training, classes, and more training. College athletics is a full-time job, except the athletes do not get paid for their work (Drozdowski). A concern is determining how much money each athlete would get in each league would be tough. People determine how much doctors get, how much teachers get, and more, so people can determine how much athletes make. The bigger the school and sport the more money. It is almost the same as determining how much income is received for every job. Student athletes are treated as professionals, so they should receive some benefit.
Yes, college athletes are given a chance at education, but they are so busy with athletics and need some money during and after college. Most college athletes do not become professionals, so after college they do not have money because they spent their whole college career playing sports (“Should College Athletes Be Paid: Why or Why Not?”). This does not mean the athletes should not play sports in college, but the professional life is just not meant for some people. Most scholarships do not even cover the whole tuition, so athletes still have to pay for tuition, especially if they come from low-income families (Drozdowski). Some athletes rely on these scholarships and money and have no money to rely on during college from their families. If an athlete gets injured, they may lose their scholarships and must pay full tuition (Drozdowski). If these athletes receive an income while they were playing, they will have some money to help pay for the full tuition. With athletes now being able to receive endorsements, schools are worried it will keep athletes away form studying and practicing (“Should College Athletes be Paid: Why or Why Not?”). Athletes deserve to receive endorsements, and that is just an assumption that the athletes will be off track. Scholarships are not guarantees, so athletes should get some sort of payment. 
As student athletes bring revenue to their schools and physically risk their bodies, it seems they get no reward. The staff and schools themselves receive plenty of money, but they would not have anything without the athletes. The athletes should be allowed to receive some sort off reward. Yes, college athletes are given scholarships, but very few full scholarships are given out a year. Even if an athlete receives a full scholarship, he or she still needs money to do things they enjoy during and after college. Athletes physically risk their bodies, and if he or he gets injured, their scholarship will likely be taken away. He or she is spending all day practicing, working out, playing games, doing schoolwork, and 
Work Cited 
“Find the Best Online College or University for You!: BestColleges.” BestColleges.com, 27 July 2021, https://www.bestcolleges.com/. 
Justin Reyes, et al. “Justin Reyes.” Greenville University Papyrus, 22 Nov. 2019, https://papyrus.greenville.edu/2019/11/college-athletes-should-get-paid/. 
“St. Louis, Missouri.” Maryville University, https://www.maryville.edu/.