Student Athletes Deserve More than Scholarships
Student Athletes Deserve More than Scholarships:A Look into the Finances of Major College Sports ProgramsStudent-athletes at major Division I-A colleges and universities do more than attend classes, practices, and compete against other teams. They generate revenue. Intercollegiate sports have developed into a highly specialized, multi-million dollar entertainment industry that rides on the shoulders of student-athletes. This industry has in turn resulted in substantial rewards for big time athletic programs and the NCAA. According to an NCAA survey conducted in 1998, sixty-seven percent of Division I-A football programs showed an average profit of $3.9 million with many of the largest programs far exceeding that figure (Netzley). Add in revenue from other sports and the NCAA took in $267 million in 1997-1998 (NCAA). Universities do not hide the importance they place on successful sports programs. In 1997, Steve Spurrier, head football coach at the University of Florida, signed a six-year contract that averaged $2 million per year. In addition to his $2 million annual salary, Spurrier was given two new cars, a generous clothing allowance and 24 prime tickets for each Gators home game. The deal also included incenti
Bibliography Works CitedBlum, Deborah. At most major colleges the average for a resident student is between $12,000 to $14,000 per year (Tarver). While student-athletes directly contribute millions of dollars in revenue to institutions they receive nothing but the bare minimum cost to keep them in school. "Learning the Agents' Game: New Rules set to Protect Athletes Still in School. " USA Today 28 September 2000: C3Martinez, Mark. These prohibitions on payment include direct compensation for athletic participation and receipt of financial aid above the cost of tuition, fees, room, board, and books (NCAA). Marcus Camby, now of the Toronto Raptors, admits to accepting thousands of dollars in gifts while playing college basketball at Massachusetts from sport agents hoping to win him as a client (Tarver). Every football player in that division would receive the same amount regardless of on field contribution. Jeremy Foley, University of Florida Athletic Director, said after the signing, "Obviously, people are going to talk about the amount of money he's making, but he adds tremendous value to this university" (Martinez). I am not talking about millions or even thousands of dollars. He can earn the equivalent of one month of his base salary for getting to the SEC championship game, two months equivalent for any bowl game, two-and-a-half months for an Alliance bowl game, and lastly, $50,000 for winning a third national championship (Martinez). For example, Division I-A, the largest and most competitive division in college athletics, might pay each football player $2500 per season.
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