Argument Essay

Alec Stark

Professor Hasdell

English 1010

15 June 2024

US College Athletes Are Exploited

College sports, particularly in the United States, generate substantial revenue annually. From ticket sales and merchandise to television rights and sponsorship deals, collegiate athletic programs are multimillion-dollar enterprises. However, the student-athletes who contribute to these profits often receive little to no financial compensation. This disparity raises critical ethical and legal questions about the exploitation of college athletes. This essay argues that U.S. college athletes are exploited, generating substantial revenue without fair compensation or sufficient rights.

College sports are a major financial engine for universities. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) reported revenues of over $1 billion for the 2019 fiscal year, largely from media rights agreements and championships (NCAA, 2019). Universities and athletic departments benefit immensely from these earnings, funding other sports programs, scholarships, and even academic endeavors. Despite their pivotal role in generating these revenues, student-athletes often do not see a fair share of the profits. The NCAA's rules prohibit athletes from receiving any form of payment beyond scholarships, which typically cover only tuition, room, and board (Hruby, 2020). This policy ensures that while universities and coaches can earn millions, the athletes remain financially disadvantaged.

The argument for compensating college athletes is not just about fairness; it is about acknowledging their labor and the risks they take. College athletes, particularly in high-revenue sports like football and basketball, dedicate significant time and effort to their sport. This commitment often comes at the expense of their academic pursuits and personal lives. Moreover, the physical risks involved in sports can lead to severe injuries, impacting their long-term health and career prospects. Without adequate compensation, athletes are left vulnerable, unable to leverage their talents and sacrifices into financial security. A model of fair compensation could involve direct payments, revenue-sharing agreements, or allowing athletes to profit from their own likeness and endorsements (Nocera & Strauss, 2016).

In addition to financial exploitation, college athletes often lack sufficient rights and protections. The NCAA’s amateurism rules restrict athletes' ability to profit from their own image, name, or likeness. This restriction has sparked significant debate, leading to legal challenges and legislative efforts to grant athletes more rights. For instance, California’s Fair Pay to Play Act, passed in 2019, allows college athletes to earn money from endorsements and hire agents without jeopardizing their college eligibility (Selingo, 2019). This act represents a significant step towards granting athletes the rights they deserve, but it also highlights the systemic issues within the NCAA’s structure.

Critics of the idea that college athletes are exploited argue that student-athletes receive significant compensation in the form of scholarships, which cover tuition, room, board, and other expenses. These scholarships can amount to tens of thousands of dollars per year, providing athletes with a free or significantly reduced-cost education that many would not otherwise afford. Additionally, proponents of the current system highlight the value of the exposure and training athletes receive, which can enhance their chances of pursuing professional careers. They contend that the primary purpose of college is education, and student-athletes are first and foremost students who benefit from academic support, life skills programs, and the opportunity to earn a degree. According to this perspective, the educational benefits and experiences provided to student-athletes justify the current structure, and the notion of financial exploitation overlooks the substantial non-monetary benefits that athletes receive (Branch, 2011).

The exploitation of college athletes is a pressing issue that underscores the need for comprehensive reform within the NCAA and collegiate athletic programs. These athletes generate substantial revenue, yet they are denied fair compensation and sufficient rights. Addressing this imbalance requires a multifaceted approach, including fair financial compensation, enhanced protections, and the ability for athletes to profit from their own likeness. As the debate continues, it is crucial to remember that at the heart of this issue are the student-athletes, whose dedication and hard work deserve to be fairly recognized and rewarded.

Work Cited

Hruby, Patrick. "The NCAA’s Exploitation of Athletes." The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2020, https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/02/ncaas-exploitation-athletes/606658/

Nocera, Joe, and Ben Strauss. Indentured: The Inside Story of the Rebellion Against the NCAA. Portfolio, 2016. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/317816/indentured-by-joe-nocera-and-ben-strauss/

NCAA. "NCAA Finances." NCAA.org, 2019, https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/finances

Selingo, Jeffrey J. "California’s Fair Pay to Play Act Is a Game Changer for College Athletes." The Washington Post, 30 Sept. 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/09/30/californias-fair-pay-play-act-is-game-changer-college-athletes/

Smith, Ronald A. The Business of College Sports. Routledge, 2019. https://www.routledge.com/The-Business-of-College-Sports/Smith/p/book/9781138202097

Branch, Taylor. "The Shame of College Sports." The Atlantic, Oct. 2011, https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/10/the-shame-of-college-sports/308643/