Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Paul Aguirre
Professor Batty
English 101
26 March 2019
Most 18 year old students in college struggle to worry if they fit into society. Than there
are students who attend college to play sports in and dreams of one day becoming a professional
athlete. Looking into one particular sport, football for an example can change someone's entire
life. Throughout college as a football player many obstacles need to be hurderled as if you are a
running back spinning away from a tackle, and scoring a touchdown or TD as some would say.
Although there are many challenges students in college struggle to overcome, such as broken
families , school, and financial needs, football which can be seen as a hobby or extracurricular
activity to some, can be the difference a student athlete either succeeds or fails in life.
College student athletes should get paid because many colleges generate huge amounts of
income that come from due to college football players. Very many football players pour out their
hearts and soul’s on the field and unfortunately risk injuries all in hope to one day become a
sham” states that, “the NCAA, the nonprofit association that runs college athletics, takes in close
to $8 billion a year and according to a Business Insider report, there are now 24 schools that
make at least $100 million annually from their athletic departments. In 2015, the most profitable
athletic department in the country was at Texas A&M, raking in over $192 million. The
University of Texas wasn’t far behind with $183 million” (Illing 1, 2017). This clearly shows
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how all colleges are making a profit from athletes, and athletes are not receiving any type of
compensation. In exchange athletes are given a full ride scholarship, equipment, and
clothing in order to appeal to the public eye. Athletes put all effort and hard work in becoming
great football players in hopes to make it to the in order to become professional athletes.. These
athletes live off the money that is given to them through scholarships and loans if it is not
sufficient. All athletes show pride and honor to be at their respective universities, and are being
universities. Richard Borghesi’s conducted a study in which he created a income plan based on
athlete’s rankings showing the amount athletes are worth if they were to receive any form of
income along with there scholarships. Borghesi mentioned, “The NCAA ([11]) conducted a
survey which found that no sport is as time intensive as football. On average Division I football
players spend 43.3 h per week on athletic activities. Even in the off season, there is a substantial
time commitment; 70% of college football players reported spending as much or more time
during the off season as they do in season. Further complicating the wage debate for football
players is that each must also risk their physical health on the field” (Borghesi 2017). This
research study clearly demonstrates how student athletes are being used for profit in order for
schools to make revenue and a name for themselves. Evidence shows that football players work
twice as hard on the field whether it be on or off season. The hours put into the sport compare to
studying is in relation to a student working the same amount of hours rather than having time to
study. These athletes have to put hours as if they were working full time and yet find time to
study. Athletes do not have time to find a real job and rely on any sort of income to get by while
in school.
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Also, athletes to do not receive any revenue or profit from merchandise, commercials, or
game attendance. All the revenue earned by college universities is kept from college athletes in
favor of them earning an education. According to the article “Justice for jocks; American college
sports” mentions how, “At $10.5 billion a year, college sports revenues--mainly from TV,
attendance and merchandise--exceed those of any single pro league. Even this understates the
profitability of college sports, because the NCAA maintains an amateurism policy that caps
athletes' compensation at the cost of their education” (2014, pp. 1). It is unjust how athletes who
are amateurs to the sport get no pay for all the hard work and hours put into the sport compare to
professionals who do get a pay cut straight from high school with no college degree. Student
college athletes work twice as hard by attending classes and practices at the same time.
To conclude, all athletes deserve to be paid as if they were working a real full-time or
part-time job. For many athletes such as football players work all year round with no time off in
between. Many of these athletes can not afford to play college football, attend classes, and yet
find time to work a real job. Athletes rely heavily on their scholarship funds, and if not enough
funds then family support is in play. As Borghesi’s study demonstrated athletes put in 43.3 hours
of work weekly is enough evidence for college football players to qualify for an income. Earning
an income can help athletes pay for major expenses and personal needs instead of relying on
scholarship funds which limits them to certain things. Football players could benefit in earning
an income rather than being rewarded with merchandise. Not only are these athletes earning an
income for their hard work, but it teaches a great life lesson in learning to budget and all other
financial means.
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Works Cited
Borghesi, Richard. "Pay for Play: The Financial Value of NCAA Football Players." Applied
"Justice for jocks; American college sports." The Economist, 16 Aug. 2014, p. 12(US).
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A378355816/EAIM?u=csunorthridge&sid
Illing, Sean. “College Football Is a Moneymaking Sham.” Vox, Vox, 5 Sept. 2017,
www.vox.com/conversations/2017/9/5/16180862/college-football-ncaa-student-athlete-