Background Information

They put blood, sweat, and tears into their sports and are compensated through scholarships for their skills. But is this enough for college athletes, or should they get paid as well? Athletes do not see any of the money the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) makes on them. However, they are essentially being paid with scholarships from their schools.
California passed a law this past September that will allow athletes to accept endorsements, but the NCAA fired back, saying this was unconstitutional. The law would allow companies such as Nike and Gatorade to pay college athletes for their name, image, and likeness.
“If you want to be a professional athlete, you have to renounce your amateur status,” former D1 basketball athlete and science teacher Kaela Yuen said.
Currently, an athlete who accepts endorsements will be classified as a professional athlete and therefore cannot retain amateur status. That athlete would not be allowed to compete at a college level.
“Maybe college sports shouldn’t be considered amateur sports anymore. It is a billion dollar industry,” former D3 football athlete and social studeies teacher Cameron Talley said.
Is it really the best idea to let them achieve a professional status yet compete at an amateur level?
“There are more cons to paying athletes than not paying athletes,” former D1 gymnast and math teacher Kristi Hafferty said.