Denver, CO – Some Democrats in the Legislature want College Athletes to be paid. Republican Senator Owen Hill may or not be on board. Here in the Colorado Citizen’s Press Office, we’re a little conflicted on this one.
Here’s what the bill does, from Colorado Politics:
[The bill would] allow athletes to profit from their name, likeness or image. The bill would make it legal for student-athletes to accept endorsement deals and sign with agents. The legislation also ensures that the NCAA or any other organization could not get in the way of this compensation. The legislation would apply to athletes in both private and public universities.
CAROL McKINLEY, Colorado Politics, Jan 20, 2020
Here’s why we’re conflicted. First, we are free-market capitalists, so it makes sense that one should be able to profit from the use of their name, likeness, or image. College athletes seem to be singled out in this respect. They and their athletic programs are punished for doing this.
We also don’t like it when the government or quasi-governmental entities treat different classifications of citizens differently – equal application of the law, where the government doesn’t choose winners and losers.
There is a problem with applying to private universities. More public regulation of private institutions is never a good thing.
With that said, we appreciate that these kids compete at an amateur level, and most of the time embody the spirit of competition and teamwork that you don’t necessarily see from professional athletes.
In the article, “former CU fullback Terry Kunz, who went on to play for the Raiders in the mid-1970s. Kunz” (Colorado Politics) said it best,
tuition, room and board and books was plenty of compensation for him”…”When only a few athletes get money, this is going to create problems,” Kunz said. “You’ll get people who will only play for themselves and not for the team.”
CAROL McKINLEY, Colorado Politics, Jan 20, 2020
With tuition, room, and board being so expensive, this is a good point. These kids are already being compensated. As millennials and other generations are complaining about student loans, these talented athletes do get their education paid for. This is a direct investment in their future if they take advantage of that.
We also find it interesting that the bill sponsors believe they can dictate the law to the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) who governs college athletes. The NCAA has the power to suspend players and programs, and also ban teams from large money-making tournaments and bowls. The NCAA has teeth, and this legislation will not.
We’ll be monitoring this bill with interest.
But what do you say?! Should college athletes get paid? Please post your comments on social media and in our comment section below!
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