Should NCAA College Football Players be Paid?

The question of whether college football players should be paid is a complex and debated topic with various perspectives. With NIL blowing up recently, many may ask themselves if college athletes should be paid. There are players making millions in NIL deals right now, and with the story that Taulia Tagovailoa turned down 1.5 million dollars to go to the SEC, it makes you wonder if NCAA players should be paid a salary.
I created a few arguments in favor of paying college football players, check them out:
- Fairness and Compensation: College football is a multi-billion dollar industry, with coaches, administrators, and universities profiting significantly from the players’ talents and hard work. Advocates argue that players should be fairly compensated for their contributions to the sport.
- Time Commitment: Being a college football player requires a significant time commitment, often comparable to a full-time job. Players have demanding training schedules, travel for games, and must balance academics. Compensation could help them manage their responsibilities better.
- Exploitation Concerns: Some argue that the current system takes advantage of college athletes, who are not allowed to profit from their own name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights while others profit from their marketability.
- Financial Hardships: Many college athletes come from low-income backgrounds and may struggle financially due to the demands of their sport. Paying players could help alleviate financial burdens and provide opportunities for personal and family support.
Arguments against paying college football players:
- Amateurism and Education: College sports have traditionally been associated with amateurism, emphasizing the importance of education alongside athletics. Critics argue that paying players could blur the line between college and professional sports, potentially diminishing the educational aspect.
- Title IX Implications: If college football players were paid, there could be significant Title IX implications as colleges would need to provide equal compensation opportunities for female athletes. This could create challenges in terms of financial and logistical feasibility.
- Lack of Profitability: While major college football programs generate substantial revenue, many other college sports and smaller programs operate at a financial deficit. Paying football players could further strain athletic department budgets.
- Scholarships and Benefits: College football players often receive scholarships, access to training facilities, academic support, and other benefits. Some argue that these benefits are already a form of compensation.
- Professional Opportunities: College football can serve as a pathway to professional leagues like the NFL. Some argue that the potential for lucrative professional careers could be seen as compensation in itself.
It’s worth noting that recent changes in NCAA rules and state laws have allowed college athletes to profit from their NIL rights, allowing them to earn money through endorsements and other opportunities. This represents a significant step towards addressing some of the concerns related to player compensation.
The issue of paying college football players is complex and may continue to evolve as the landscape of college athletics changes. Ultimately, finding a balance that considers the welfare of the athletes, the educational mission of colleges, and the financial realities of sports programs is a challenging task.

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com