In the United States, college athletes receive scholarships for their athletic contributions to their schools instead of cash. The NCAA divides universities into 3 categories, or divisions. Division I schools have the largest student body, most athletic scholarships, and the biggest athletic budgets. Division II schools have fewer athletic scholarships and fewer students. Division III schools offer no athletic scholarships. Should these schools pay their student-athletes?
NCAA athletes should be paid
NCAA athletes dedicate about 40 hours per week to their sport. They dedicate the same amount of time to their sport that the average person does to their job, so they should be paid accordingly.
NCAA student athletes should get paid depending on what division they play in.
Division I athletes balance a demanding practice schedule, travel time for games, and school. Student-athletes go above and beyond what a normal student does. Schools should compensate them accordingly.
An athletic scholarship only covers room and board and the cost of tuition, leaving athletes to fend for themselves when it comes to money for extra expenses.
