Aguirre 1

Paul Aguirre

Professor Batty

English 101

26 March 2019

College Football Players

Most students in college struggle to fit into society. Than there are students who attend

college to play sports in 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 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

professional football player. According to the article, “College football is a moneymaking

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 in order to become professional athletes.. These athletes live off the

money that is given to them through scholarships and loans. All athletes show pride and honor to

be at their respective universities, and are being made money out off with no sort of

compensation.

In addition, college athletes have fought to be viewed as employees at their respective

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

Economics 49.46 (2017): 4657-667. Web.

"Justice for jocks; American college sports." The Economist, 16 Aug. 2014, p. 12(US).

Expanded Academic ASAP,

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http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A378355816/EAIM?u=csunorthridge&sid

=EAIM&xid=45a7980d. Accessed 29 May 2019.

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-

mike-mcintire. Accessed 26 May 2019.