Student Athlete Compensation

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Student Athlete Compensation It is a very controversial topic as to whether student athletes should or should not be paid to participate in college sports. There are multiple reasons that support both sides of this issue and the debate on the subject continues in various circles. Many individuals feel that the economic impact these athletes have on their schools is such that the athletes themselves should receive payment for the revenue they help to create (Henderson). Others feel that although they are generating income, they are compensated for their efforts in other ways (Gosselin). Still others state that only a small percentage of these colleges and universities make a profit from their athletic programs, most actually lose money (Bienen). For those athletes whose names and numbers are popular, significant revenue is generated and it is illegal for them to profit in any way from it. These are some of the issues involved in the controversy. One of the economic issues surrounding this issue relate to whether the scholarship, and the additional benefits received from playing at these institutions brings, is considered itself a form of payment (Dorfman). Aside from room, board, books, and tutoring, these athletes receive top coaching, training, and often exposure for a possible professional athletic career. Another issue is the fact that only a small percentage of these institutions generate profit from their athletic programs. Most see a loss of revenue. Therefore, these institutions could not afford to pay their athletes. An additional economic issue relates to how much an athlete would be paid. This is the concept of income redistribution. In sports that do not generate revenue, money would have to be taken from those sports that generate money and give to the athletes of sports that are already losing money (Dorfman). Other economic issues
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