College Basketball Roundtable: Should NCAA athletes get paid?

Laura Rammos

I believe college basketball athletes have the right to be paid. Collegiate athletes are not the normal college student. The most notable difference is that athletes bring in millions of dollars to the college, while Jane Doe brings her tuition in the form of loans or family help and physically takes up a seat in the classroom taught by a paid professor.

It’s true athletes generally get a scholarship, room and board, and a modest daily allowance which is better than the average student. However, It doesn’t cost the college to have these athletes attend their college. This player brings loads of money, much more than Jane Doe ever would. I’m guessing the majority of the student-athletes aren’t even taking up a seat in academic classes at their respective college campus.

There is a billion dollar industry that is selling its product to a public that is buying it. You can pick up your favorite collegiate merchandise anywhere. We can’t buy it with college athlete’s names on the back, but let’s not be fooled into thinking because there is no embroidery on the back, I’m not supporting and advertising the college they play for.

Colleges ride the fame of their current star players and reap the benefits of the revenue. Sports fans love college sports. Always have, always will, regardless of the players getting a piece of the pie.