(From shermanreport.com)
The subject of college sports and payment of athletes again rages around America because a labor board ruled in favor of certain players being able to start a union.
It’s a heavy topic, with complicated layers and possible ramifications.
I come with a simple plan. I think it’s fair to all college athletes.
Take the money that big media pays the NCAA and its various conferences and designate a percentage for a pool to pay all varsity athletes at all accredited colleges fielding intercollegiate sports team.
I’ll let the number-crunchers figure this rate out.
Here’s my proposed pay scale:
Figure out the number of hours each sports team practices and participates in games. Then pay all of the athletes the same hourly rate students on work study receive for cleaning the cafeteria or staffing the library.
Say the basketball team and cross country squad members spend 25 hours per week working on their craft. Suppose the pay rate is $10 per hour. All the athletes would receive $250 a week to do with what they wish.
Scholarships still stand as they are, with more going to certain sports that generate more revenue.
But this pay is not based on star level or position prestige. Those salary scales will rear their heads for those talented enough to play professionally, and those who use their scholarship to get a degree and find a job in their field of choice.
For now, though, all the athletes would have some walking-around money. That’s just right because they surely devote too much time on their sport to work in the cafeteria or library.
Here’s the source for the NCAA money graphic.
Do you think college athletes should be paid? A lot, a little, or just the scholarship?
Mark Bialczak 
All college students work their tails off trying to get the degree Mark. Some are stars, like the athletes, some are in the stands cheering them on, but are the athletes really there for a degree or just for the glory? Just asking as the mom of a kid who got 5 bachelor’s and 2 master’s while working her way through college on too little sleep and way too much work, with no glory thrown in. So why should the athletes be paid to do what they do when they are on scholarship, some barely making the grade, while the non-athlete’s work at 2 or 3 jobs, study all night to keep their 3.9 average in 5 majors, volunteer in several charities, and basically run on nothing but their will power to keep it going and not get paid additional for that? Sorry, not trying to be disagreeable. Just wondering why dummy athletes who pay someone else to do their homework should be rewarded, while the tutors and student teachers work their tails off to make sure the dummy’s make a barely passing grade.
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You are passionate in defending the non athletic student, Angie. Bravo to the enthusiasm. However, if the TV money for sports allows athletes to be paid a stipend, I think it should. The other students can find sponsors or such in their other fields. Life’s not fair, and that’s a college lesson well taught.
I do not believe you should stereotype all athletes as dummies. That’s not correct, that’s not proper, and it’s not fair. There are many athletes in many sports who use their skills to get an education they never would have otherwise.
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I don’t know enough to make an informed decision or comment. But I like what you say, and Carl, and KSBeth. Just makes sense.
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It is time, Colleen, to give all the athletes a little more from a very rich pie.
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You make a very good stand for it. I agree.
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Interesting concept. I like the way you think… but you already know this.
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Something has to happen to fix the machine, Chris, before it crashes and burns.
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i think your plan has some merit, mark. it seems fair and reasonable. i’ve always been on the side of college athletes being paid, as they bring in huge revenue for the universities they play for, put themselves at physical risk, and with no legal pay agenda in place, it tends to lead to all sorts crazy situations, with payouts from rabid members of the alum and fans, along with all sorts of unsavory characters, who end up going around the system and leading to nothing but trouble. i’m all for it. (ps what do you think about miggy’s new contract?)
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I don’t pretend that my simple plan solves all of the woes in the current system, Beth, especially rich alum giving golden handshakes to star athletes. But it might be easier to be moral when you have a few legitimate dollars in your pocket than when you’re broke.
About Miggy’s new contract … Holy good God, that’s a lot of money to be paying an athlete until they’re 41. I hope he doesn’t go all A-Rod/Pujols toward the end of the decade-long pact, Beth. For now, though, he could support Michigan and Michigan State’s varsity athletes under my program for a goo while, couldn’t he?
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i agree about having a few dollars in the pocket, it leads to a lot less temptation for a college student of any sort, and especially the opportunities that come an athlete’s way.
. as for miggy, i’m happy but hoped for a shorter contract, kind of a gamble, that’s a really long time and he’s not 20 to begin with. he’s an amazing talent though, detroit loves him and is very loyal to him so i think it will be good for the team in that way, just wonder about the good business decision end of it. illitch, the owner, who also owns the wings, is willing to put it all on the line to win. means a lot to him.
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Anybody who’s labor makes money for someone else deserves a cut.
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Good job. My only thought is that there should be medical expenses related to problems resulting from the sports. . . .not sure how that could be managed but they are risking their health and limbs. . .
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All student athletes have their medical expenses covered now, Anne.
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Does that include post college problems that can be credited back to their play. . . . concussions , arthritis?
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Nope. You are asking an awful lot with that one. The NFL just settled a huge lawsuit about post-career debilitations that could be traced to playing football.
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Maybe not possible . I guess all choices in life have consequences. T Y !
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The problem is that then it opens a bigger can of worms. Any student that does any extra activity can claim they should also be paid. Many of these kids already receive scholarships giving them major breaks on tuition. That is their pay. What about students that do theater? It just gets too big to handle.
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Because there is a massive TV contract that would allow this to be done for athletes does not mean the same thing must be done for marching band, theater, or any other worthwhile extra-curricular pursuits. Unless, of course, the leaders of those programs can get industry moguls in music, film, movies, etc., to foot the bill for similar stipends for those students.
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