Should college athletes be paid?

College sports are just around the corner and just like practice the debate weather athletes should be paid or not is brewing again. Every season there is a champion but are the real champions the players or is it the corporate sponsors, broadcasters and ultimately, the NCAA itself? 

The NCAA basketball tournament or as many call “March Madness” has expanded into a huge business in recent years. The whole tournament itself makes six billion dollars annually. The players never get to see any part of that money, so the debate is whether they should be paid or not. These athletes are not even paid even though they risk career-ending injuries every time they step onto the

court, field, or rink. A group of former players have filled a lawsuit alleging that the NCAA should pay up because they make money off of player’s merchandise. They use the players’ names on jerseys and video games. 

It’s no surprise students athletes demand pay, they are just following the example set by the coaches and other players in the game. John Calipari head basketball coach at the University of Kentucky makes a whopping $5.5 million dollars a season. That’s like 14 times more than what the president makes. He is not alone seventeen other football and basketball coaches make more than $3 million

 dollars a year. The schools are also trying to make more money. They hope to make more money by scheduling more games and tournaments. The weekday games are now televised which brings more money in. schools have even switched conferences to make even more money.The other side to the argument states players shouldn't be paid because they already are being paid with an education and that it would not be fair to the other students. Most college athletes have full ride scholarships which means all of their expenses like books, room and board are covered for them. The ones who don’t have a full ride scholarship have more aid than the normal student anyways. The aid that

student athletes receive should be enough. 

I personally think players should be paid but not a lot. It is unfair how college and universities can make million of dollars off of players but don't even give a small portion to them. I know if i was a college athlete i at least would want to be paid. I also think the coaches and colleges should set better examples to the players. A coach should not be making more money than the president of the United States. it is so ridiculous! i think a college coach should be equally paid like a college professor,