Should College Athletes Be Unionized

The Solution for College Athlete: Unionize Vince Lombardi once said, “The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That’s real glory.” College athletes have been denied the ability unify and have a say in an industry that is based on how well these athletes perform; nonetheless, college athletes will mostly likely continue to fight for some freedom and a voice against the NCAA. However, the NCAA argues that college athletes should not unionize because it defeats the purpose of amateurism, it is actually beneficial for all college athletes to unionize and to receive a pay check because they are risking career-ending injuries, and most college athletes will not become professional athletes; therefore, they will need compensation

It is stunning that not only do universities of these big team make so much money, but so do the coaches that work at these universities. In fact “In 40 of 50 states, the highest paid public employee is currently either a college head football coach or basketball coach” (Edelman). College athletes put in so much time and effort to win for their school, and they do not receive the credit they earn. By unionizing, the athletes can control the money and that is generated at the sporting events and that money could be used in a form of a scholarship as previously stated. This would allow the college athlete not to have to worry about cash because it would go towards their schooling and other basic needs that student-athletes require. Also because the time and effort spent practicing and playing the athletes choice of sport, athletes would be considered employees to the university. So “For athletes to have the right to unionize under the NLRA, universities must be employers, and athletes must be employees. It is settled that universities can be employers under federal labor law” (Parasuraman 4). Unfortunately, the NLRA does not want to get involved because of the NCAA having such strict rules over the athletes. This means that athletes would be employees to the university because they meet the hours of work required for someone to be considered employed. Yet, the NLRA refuse to acknowledge college athletes which is against the basic rights established by the American