During 2014 the NCAA had a total revenue that surpasses one billion dollars throughout the fiscal years. But, as they sit on their lavish thrones the real workers, also know as the athletes, don’t see a penny of this money, even as many of them struggle to put food on their plates every night.
As we hit the month of March, the debate of whether or not college athletes should be paid arises again as college sports fans grow eager for March Madness.
March Madness, is one of the NCAA’s main revenue sources throughout the year along with each school that partakes in the tournament as well. Most of this money is made by way of sponsorship as a ridiculous amount of companies can be found on their knees begging the NCAA to let them showcase their brand in arguably one of the years biggest sporting events.
The biggest problem here is the way in which the NCAA is exploiting these children for the sake of their own profit. Year in and year out the NCAA only makes more and more money from college sports as college athletes see no return other than the possible exposure they may gain in order for them to go professional in their desired sport in the future or those who receive part of their college tuition being already payed for.
But, is that really enough in return? As many of us know the chances in going pro in any sport is slim to none and few of these college athletes ever do end up achieving this dream. So, in the cases of many athletes they are pushed towards a goal that for most is unattainable and then when they fail to obtain this dream they are left hopeless and with no clue what to do.
On the bright side there is an easy solution to this, and that is to give them salaries. Nothing huge but something in order to keep them on the right track as well as food on their plates.
All in all, with the Big Tournament approaching let’s put an end to the exploitation of these young men and help them get paid in hope of making all college sports a ethical business.