Running Head: Behind the NCAA

Behind the NCAA

David Hamm
University of Texas at El Paso
Rhetoric and Composition 2
Professor Riley Welcker (Teach)

Abstract
This reading presents multiple perspectives and non-biased research questions on the
controversial topic of should student-athletes receive some of the profit that the NCAA, coaches,
and schools make off of their name. This reading addresses anyone interested in this ongoing

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debate. The viewpoints come from current and former NCAA athletes, the NCAA, and other
individuals and institutions that are interested in the topic. The reading focuses on four main
questions. How does the NCAA profit off of student athletes? Why do some believe student
athletes should no longer be considered amateurs while others do not? What is being done to
guarantee that student athletes are knowledgeable of NCAA rules and restrictions? How are
former and current student athletes reacting to the profit of the NCAA?

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Introduction
The National Collegiate Athletic Association, or commonly known as the NCAA is an
organization that oversees a variety of sports in all Division I, II, and III institutions. The NCAA
is constantly hosting games, tournaments, and championships. Hosting these events generates
millions of dollars in profit for the organization. The multimillion dollar profit of the NCAA has
created controversy nationwide. When it comes down to making some of the NCAA rules,
money is a big factor. The four questions on this topic will help the audience understand the
controversial topic. The questions may also help the audience figure out where they stand on the
topic. The questions being asked are: How does the NCAA profit off of student athletes? Why do
some believe student athletes should no longer be considered amateurs while others do not?
What is being done to guarantee that student athletes are knowledgeable of NCAA rules and
restrictions? How are former and current student athletes reacting to the profit of the NCAA?
The NCAA rules many collegiate athletes, so it is important to ask these questions to understand
how the organization operates. The NCAA is one of the biggest multibillion dollar industries in
the United States, but why cant the athletes receive some of the profit? This reading presents
multiple questions and perspectives on the controversial topic of should student-athletes receive
some of the profit that the NCAA, coaches, and schools make off of their name.
How does the NCAA profit off of student athletes?
Making money for one of the biggest companies in the national urea that comes to
mystery of where all the money goes too. Knowing that its very few college athlete is well
deserve that getting paid for doing that not all students can do. The organization, as a whole,
makes $6 billion annually. According to U.S. News, the NCAA games, tournaments, and
championships have become a major business. The NCAA thrives off of these events. As we

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know March Madness is underway. These highly competitive games are broadcasted and
watched nationally by millions. In 2010, the NCAA reached a 14-year, $10.8 billion deal with
CBS Sports and Turner Broadcasting just for covering March Madness. That is $770 million
of profit a year from just one event. According to ESPN, the NCAA mens basketball tournament
generated $1.15 billion television ads last year. That is well beyond the revenue generated by the
NFL and NBA playoffs. (thenation.com) It is shocking that a college sport event generated more
revenue than a professional event. But the players themselves never see any of that money, even
as they sacrifice their bodies every time they step foot on the court, field, or rink. Being a
national rank team and well known around the country for their physical statue Alabamas
football team is known for the loud crowds and swarming crimson red. Through all the boosters,
fans, and sponsors they are the biggest paid program in the nation. Throughout the year they
produce $123,769,841 in total revenue with tickets, donations, university, and most importantly
social media. The athletes never see any of that money. It comes to a thought process of why
athletes dont get paid. With all their hard work and dedication on and off the field, they should
receive some of money. The many social media that broadcast the teams and programs they
branch the team throughout the country to get them notify to make them available when their
season comes around.

Why do some believe student athletes should no longer be considered amateurs while
others do not?
The student-run newspaper, Daily Tatrum, at Rutgers University present valid pros and
cons in the article The NCAA Makes Billions and Student Athletes Get None of It. All the
television revenue, ticket and jersey sales, likeness promotion and other sources of income go to

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the NCAA, the schools, the coaches, the event staff and many others all except for the athletes
that created the value (thenation.com). The huge amount of money made off of college sports has
led some to question whether student-amateurs can be consider athletes any longer, and whether
they should be paid for their efforts.
The article from Rutgers University also presents the argument against paying studentathletes. The school states that a free education is an invaluable experience. A full-ride athletic
scholarship covers all expenses such as tuition, room and board, a meal plan, and books. Many
student-athletes have everything provided for them, giving them an advantage over their peers.
Becoming paid would increase the advantage even more. A college degree is something so many
Americans struggle to afford, let alone attain. Some things that create some problem that people
dont see is that when getting paid to play the sport they love they getting paid is privilege to do
that. The decision of get the athletes paid will be seen as a good and bad choice because it will
display of character an athlete with hold. Being an amateur and not getting paid shows the
maturity of a young college student. When becoming a professional athlete that does get paid
like job to provide purpose of playing a sport of he/she participated in. For explain the
opportunity to receive both an education and get the exposure to win a professional contract
more than compensates athletes for their efforts. So the idea of athletes receiving any type of
compensation beyond a free opportunity to pursue a degree is absurd to many.
What is being done to guarantee that student athletes are knowledgeable of NCAA rules
and restrictions?
The NCAAs billion dollar television contracts and rules and policies affects the sport
industry in many ways. The conflict between the concept of amateurism and professionalism
often presented. The NCAA was originally established to address safety issues in the sport of

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football. Over the years the organization has grown to become the largest amateur organization
in the United States (uslegal.com). The NCAA requires that all of its student-athletes be amateurs
in their sport to maintain a state of fairness. The NCAA states that an athlete is considered a
professional when they are paid or accept the promise of pay for playing in an athletics contest,
sign a contract or verbally commit with an agent or a professional sports organization, use their
athletics skill for pay in any form, and so on (uslegal.com). The NCAA makes this very clear in
their contracts and guidebook. Coaches and the athletic directors of the institution are supposed
to help student athletes understand the rules and regulations. All athletes are require to comply
and sign contracts indicating that they have read and understand the rules. If an amateur student
athlete participates in any of these event then an athlete is no longer consider an amateur. The
athlete can then become ineligible to participate in their sport. The athlete has to take full
responsibility for their actions. An athlete cannot blame ignorance if caught violating the rules.
Reggie Bushs decision to forfeit his title as Heisman winner of 2005 is a great example
of the consequence of breaking NCAA rules. While attending the University of Southern
Caroline, Bush accepted improper benefits. The NCAA cited USC for the lack of institutional
control. In this case, USC was in the wrong for offering Bush the benefits, but Bush was also in
the wrong for accepting the benefits. It is important as a student-athlete to know the rules to
protect oneself.
How are former and current student athletes reacting to the profit of the NCAA?
In August of 2014, CNN followed the case of Ed OBannon, a former UCLA college
basketball star. OBannon sued to end the NCAAs control over the rights to college athletes
names, images and likeness (cnn.com). He argued that athletes in the top level of college
basketball and football should be allowed to profit from their schools use of their likenesses.

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OBannons suit alleged the waivers the athletes are required to sign are illegal and asked that
players be able to negotiate the terms of their likenesses in order to keep a share of those profits.
The NCAAs argument in the ongoing OBannon lawsuit is that it is trying to protect the amateur
model of college sports.
In recent bowl games several college football players wore patches, with the letters APU
on them, All Players United. They believe athletes deserve a share of the hundreds of millions of
dollars in profits produced by their performance. Mark Emmert, NCAA president, supports a
system that would allow schools to pay athletes small salaries. Although he supports it, nothing
has been put in effect yet.
A group of current and former athletes is suing the NCAA in federal court because they
want to stop the NCAA from profiting off the likenesses of athletes. They also want athletes to
be eligible for a stake of that money. The heart of this case is about who controls an athletes
name and image. As of right now players cannot benefit from their own photo. The athletes
almost feel as if theyre property. As long as an athlete wants to play for their school, they cannot
make any money for anything that is directly tied to their athletic achievements. Many athletes
are frustrated and want this to come to an end.
Conclusion
This is still an ongoing debate between current and former student athletes and the
National Collegiate Athletic Association. There is no telling when this debate will be settled due
to the many opposing arguments and perspectives. I believe student-athletes should receive some
of the profit that the NCAA, coaches, and schools make off their names. Who can tell when the
student athletes at major division one with get paid but I know student that can do decision hard

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working money. Also being in video games to getting interviews and putting our name out to the
world can see what the athletes get from it nothing. They fight to get it changed but we will see
the future holds. Without the effort and performances from the athletes, the NCAA would not be
a multibillion dollar industry. The athletes are the ones sacrificing their bodies every game and
practice, yet they never see a dime that was made off of them.

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Reference Page
Bernfeld, J. (2014, May 24). Who Can Profit Off A College Athlete's Image? Not The Athlete.
Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2014/05/24/image-ncaa
athlete-profit
Bush decides to forfeit 2005 Heisman Trophy. (2010, September 15). Retrieved March 18, 2015,
from http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=5572827
Hayes, C. (2013, September 12). Fat profits at NCAA while athletes play for free. Retrieved
March 18, 2015, from http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/fat-profits-ncaa-while-athletes-play-f
Johnson, G. (2014, April 9). The NCAA Makes Billions and Student Athletes Get None of It.
Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://www.thenation.com/blog/179272/ncaa-makes
billions-and-student-athletes-get-none-it
Martin, J., & Ganim, S. (2014, August 8). Judge rules against NCAA on compensation
CNN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/08/sport/ncaa
student-athletes/
NCAA Sports Contracts and Amateurism. (2010, January 1). Retrieved March 18, 2015, from
http://sportslaw.uslegal.com/sports-agents-and-contracts/ncaa-sports-contracts-and
amateurism/
Should NCAA Athletes Be Paid? (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://www.usnews.co

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m/debate-club/should-ncaa-athletes-be-paid
Weinberg, D. (2014, January 15). NCAA to debate paying college athletes a stipend. Retrieved
March 18, 2015, from http://www.marketplace.org/topics/business/ncaa-debate-paying
college-athletes-stipend