Critique of The Fair Pay to Play Act

An infamous quote stuck with me, “Action takers are money makers.” College players have been put under pressure to do double the work of a regular student. They are under stress with completing their college classes as well as putting in countless hours in perfecting their craft. Day in and out this is now their life. Receiving compensation is the least athletic departments can do.

Senate Bill 206, called the “Fair Pay to Play Act,” will enable student-athletes from the state’s twenty- four public college and universities to be paid via sponsorship agreements. This bill also makes it illegal for schools or organizations to punish athletes for seeking these types of agreements. They will be given the right to promote products to financially benefit from their activities. The legislation tramples the ban on compensation other than a scholarship.

However, the NCAA has a lot more at stake. They are fighting this law with everything in them. To them, this Act will promote drama with colleges and put this as a main priority to athletes coming in. They feel they will lose their true purpose from coming to play a collegiate sport. To sum it up and say the least. The NCAA feels as if students will now be more caught up in receiving funds than focusing on the game.

I disagree.

There is a lot that comes with being in college and maintaining a life inside and out of their sport. Receiving money can benefit them in so many ways. People worldwide witness endless shout outs to their support systems with no hesitation. Most athletes come from a background of shaken situations, broken homes or poverty. Their drive alone is something that is stored in them. With or without this, their chances are their way out. No matter how it is given or the act of taking it, they just want to make a name for themselves.

Think of it like this. Not every athlete is guaranteed to be drafted or go to the professional level of their sport. In fact, less than two percent of NCAA students- athletes go on to be professional. Receiving funds now would be an effort to show appreciation and gratitude. That not only helps them financially, but emotionally. Once you get someone emotionally connected, whatever is in place has won. They will now feel the need to go even harder for their sport and school. That means better records, better scores and in the school’s case: a packed house or sold out games because of the new effort and drive.

To go in a bit more in depth, these athletes are going through a lot. While we watch from behind the lines and television screens. Odds are beating them senseless and the ongoing talk of “Get your education so you have something to fall back on” is buzzing. How can they maintain good grades when they expect you to put in endless hours of both school and sport? College athletes spend over 30 hours a week in practice, some have reported over 40. Not to forget they are a full-time student still. To top it off, most games are so far stretched. They are required to miss class to play in most games. Another distraction from pursuing greatness.

I know what you’re thinking. They signed up for this then what else should they expect. Their scholarship should be enough payment. Or they receive the best treatment while on the road for games. Wrong! Where is your heart? Only about one in three athletes receive a scholarship. Former college athlete, Tim Tebow, believes that colleges should be about following your dreams and contributing to your school without the thought of receiving money. In an interview with ESPN, Tim Tebow said, “If I could support my college and support the university, that’s what it’s all about. Now we are it from “us” ... from being an alumnus where I care, making college sports special to me, then ok it is no longer US it becomes ME.” He added, “It changes what is special about college football (in his case). We turn it into the NFL, where who has the most money that is where you go.”

Let’s be completing honest, whether you want to talk about it or not, colleges have been paying athletes under the table for years. Passing this law and making it legal to do this is a win for them. They will no longer have to worry about being extorted. Not saying every college participates as well. They no longer must worry about possible fires and fines for the coach or ending of their college career in athletes.

The passing of the Fair Pay to Play bill is just an all-around win!

In conclusion, there are a lot of opinions about the thought of paying athletes. College athletes are some of the hardest working people in the world. Not only are they living the life of regular student, they also have a hard schedule dealing with their sport. There is so much to consider what action should be taken. Without a doubt, in 2023 those thoughts will be put to rest. Student- athletes will be under the process of receiving compensation. What a great year to become a team sport!