College athletes bring in millions of dollars for their schools each season while sacrificing their time, bodies, and sometimes chosen field of interest for the school system, with not one cent to show for it. These athletes do get the benefit of a good education, most of which is paid for. What’s more, they get top priority in draft picks for the professional leagues. However, if the athletes get hurt or their grades drop because of the time spent at games and practices, they lose it all. College athletes have so many mandatory practices, games, and appearances which makes their sport more like a job. All the while they have to keep their grades up to maintain playing eligibility. That does not give these players time to go and find work …show more content…
In the magazine article “Pay to Play,” it is stated that over $6 billion dollars is made off of college basketball and football alone. Not to mention the school benefits from all the publicity when they have high profile athletes that are setting records or have helped the school win championships like Tim Tebow from the University of Florida, Cam Newton from Auburn University, or Peyton Manning from the University of Tennessee. Having these high profile athletes also increases the attendance numbers and peaks the interest of prospective students. Furthermore, the school has free range to promote itself by using these athletes, making money by selling apparel and merchandise with the students’ names and numbers on them, and having the students make special appearances. All the while the student-athlete receives not one share of this profit. Most colleges would not survive if it weren’t for their athletic programs. Without sports, the cost of tuition would be too high and they would go out of business (Birkenes & Bagaria,