The question of whether college athletes should be paid has led to a hotly contested debate.  Critics for paying athletes for their services point to the millions of dollars of revenue generated from football and basketball alone.  These critics then ask why these athletes should not receive some of the money that they raise.  The other side has stated that they feel the scholarship to a quality school of higher learning should be more than enough compensation for these athletes.  Another side of the issue has been raised recently with the NCAA allowing scholarship athletes to take part-time jobs during the school year.  This new ruling could change the entire debate dramatically in the future.

Free the Athletes--Scrap the NCAA   (http://www.carnell.com/opening_shots/opening_00003.html)
An article discussing the monopoly the NCAA has over college athletics.  It discusses how compensating athletes and doing away with SAT score requirements would better athletics in the long run.

Show Them the Money!   (http://www.student.net/97/09/26/pay/index.phtml)
An article that discusses the idea of amateurism and the fact that college players don't reap any of the rewards that they earn.

College Athletes are Already Fairly Compensated   (http://www.und.com/genrel/nd-genreleases06.html)
An article giving the other side of the debate.

Parking, Paying and Getting Pilloried   (http://www.sunspot.net/columnists/data/olesker/0225olesker.shtml)
An article discussing the preferential treatment of star athletes.

Tougher Sports Agent Regulation Needed   (http://www.usouthal.edu/usa/vanguard/exop11-10.htm)
A discussion of the problems that arise with sports agents getting involved with college athletes.

Research Finds Greed Drives NCAA    (http://www.freep.com/sports/college/qncaa5.htm)
An article in the Kansas City Star discussing an 18-month investigative study into the NCAA and their financial matters.
 

Additions submitted by Laura Luth, Fall, 1998:

COLLEGE ATHLETES: SELL PRODUCTS BUT NEVER SEE THE PROFITS
(http://132.235.238.184/archives/072596/atoddkj.html)
this gives arguments why college athletes should be paid.

THE WORKING ATHLETE  (http://www.seattletimes.com/extra/browse/html197/altjobsed_011897.html)
This article from the Seattle Times discusses athletes having part-time jobs.

REEVES:  TIME FOR NCAA TO GIVE PLAYERS A LITTLE FREEDOM
(http://espn.sportzone.com/editors/ncf/Bowls95/Fiesta/1231barry.html)
This articles talks about the money made by colleges for sending teams to championships, while the players get nothing.

PAYING PLAYERS ISN'T ANSWER NOW OR IN FUTURE
(http://espnet.sportzone.com/editors/gen/features/1112delany.html)
Jim Delany, commissioner of the Big Ten Conference and one of the leading voices in college sports is against paying college athletes

NCAA SPECIAL ASSISTANCE FUND
(http://espnet.sportzone.com/editors/gen/features/1112part.html)
This is a fund for athletes in need of money, since they are not paid and only recently have been allowed to have part time jobs.
 

Return to class readings page:  Kinesiology 493: Philosophy of Kinesiology