Millions of devoted fans eagerly watch their favorite players and sports teams year-round. Some people watch professional sports, while others prefer college. College basketball and football are passionately depicted topics on television and radio. College and professional sports are analogous in every way; the only difference between them is the lack of payment to student athletes. The National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) receives millions of dollars in revenue from men's college basketball and football, and college coaches at top schools are paid the same amount as professional coaches. Fans of both college and professional athletes can proudly show their commitment by purchasing jerseys or other products. Student athletes should be paid because, even if they are considered amateurs, they need money for their social life and their own institutions already exploit them, making enough money to pay athletes fairly. Many people see college athletics as a pastime, not a profession, and paying athletes would make these sports seem like a profession, not just a representation of the school (Sobocinski 289). The NCAA, and others who oppose compensation, believe in amateurism, the idea that college students should focus on academics first and athletics second (Amateurism 1). Additionally, they think student athletes are already receiving fair compensation for their work. College athletes receive full scholarships that cover tuition, fees and books (Like 1). Additionally, these scholarships are awarded for at least one year, in the event that a student suffers a sports injury, does not play as expected, or changes the coaching staff (Like 1). Some people argue that full athletic scholarships are enough… half paper… tball. 2014. CBS Interactive. Network. April 30, 2014. "College Athletes Worth Six Figures, Live Below Federal Poverty Line." DrexelNow.2011. Drexel University. Network. April 29, 2014. Division I Handbook. Indianapolis: The National Collegiate Athletics Association, 2014. Print."How Do Athletics Scholarships Work?" NCAA. nd Turner Sports Interactive. Network. April 29, 2014.Nelson, Darrin. “NCAA Rules Relating to Employment for Student-Athletes.” Stanford. ndStanford. Network. May 4, 2014.Nocera, Joe. “Let's start paying college athletes.” The New York Times. 2011. The New York Times Society. Network. April 30, 2014.Phillips, Scott. “Shabazz Napier: 'There are hungry nights when I go to bed and I'm starving.' College Basketball Talk 2014. NBC Sports. Network. May 3, 2014.Sobocinski, Eric J. “College Athletes: What Is Fair Compensation?” Marquette SportsLaw Review 7 (1996). 257-294. Press.
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