It is standard for an average American to work 40 hours in a workweek. In return for their service, they expect compensation of at least minimum wage, and even more for the hours they work overtime. In addition, they require other benefits, such as a break period, paid vacation/sick days, health insurance, and retirement plans. Therefore, it is shocking that college athletes train at least 30 hours a week, with some training upwards of 45 hours a week, yet receive no compensation for their time. Although the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has regulations in place to limit training for athletes to 20 hours per week, very few coaches abide by these rules. As a result, being a college athlete is a full time job, not including the academic responsibilities an athlete also bears. Therefore, just as any American expects payment for the time they devote to their job, college …show more content…
They work just as hard as “true employees” and dedicate the same amount of hours, if not more. These players are not only student athletes, they are full time employees and deserve the same benefits they would have at a normal job. They sacrifice their bodies and time to generate revenue for their schools, which never trickles back down to them. Compensating college athletes would alleviate their financial burdens and allow them to pursue their education longer. Colleges have the ability to pay their athletes with the revenue they generate, but they chose not to for selfish reasons. Hopefully, these schools will realize the impact college athletes have on their revenue and “an arrangement where student athletes receive labor law protections, competitive compensation and more thorough medical coverage” (Huang) will be made. It is time to properly treat college athletes as employees and compensate them for the devotion they commit to their sport, which earns millions in revenue for their