Should College Athletes Get Paid? The NCAA is a money-making organization and COVID-19 will complicate collegiate sports even more

most-viewed college basketball games on ESPN. Ticket By Kevin Parrish Jr. costs for Duke games were an average of nearly $330, which is the highest-priced resale ticket in college bas- ne of the biggest questions in college sports is ketball. And even when Duke hit the road for away whether the Nationally Collegiate Athletic games, ticket prices were a shocking 200 percent over Association (NCAA) should pay student- the average price. athletes, who not only juggle responsibilities O Through social media, Williamson also made a of a full-time student academically, but also have to make time for practice, meetings, film sessions and difference for Duke, especially on Instagram. According games. to Adam Zagoria of Forbes.com: Duke gained 358,000 followers, which exceeds the total all-time following of One reason for making such a move is the mil- all other college basketball accounts. They had more lions of dollars universities pocket off student-athletes’ followers than all but two NHL teams—Blackhawks name, image and likeness, especially elite Division I and Penguins. More than every MLB team except for level student-athletes who could potentially earn tens five clubs—Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers and Gi- of thousands annually in revenue—if they were allowed ants. And more followers than 19 of the 32 NFL teams. to receive payment. Since the NCAA began in 1906, student-athletes have not been allowed to earn money Williamson, however, did not receive any of off their name, image and likeness, according to the millions of dollars Duke generated off his star pro- NCAA.org. file and performances, due to the NCAA rule of stu- dents-athletes not being allowed to profit off their The NCAA is a money-making organization name, image and likeness. According to Kelsey Trainor and COVID-19 will complicate things even more, be- of FanSided.com, had the NCAA carried a similar play- cause the NCAA won't generate the same amount of er revenue share percentage as the National Basketball profits they have had for decades. March Madness, the Association (NBA) during the 2018-19 season, William- famous three-week Division I college basketball Tour- son could have had pocketed an estimated $5 million nament, was canceled due to the virus which cost the dollars. industry nearly $1 billion dollars in revenue, according to Investopedia.com. It's an ongoing legal fight that “I think it’s ridiculous that he got no cut of the could take years to change the system officially; howev- revenue he brought to Duke,” said Jeff Siegel, the er, that change seems to be in motion. founder and editor-in-chief of Early Bird Rights. “He was a legal adult who was generating revenue for the university and should be compensated fairly.” There are a couple of reasons the NCAA has been hesi- he only way to discover the total amount of tant to pay college athletes: It would eliminate the line profit Williamson drove in for Duke, would be between amateur and professional sports. It would pri- relatively easy to come up with, if access to all oritize athleticism over academics. Equity issues over T of Duke’s finances for the last ten years was payment could arise. And Institutions would likely cut available for public consumption. Short of that, it’s back on their other programs—the less popular sports. nothing that can be accurately stated. “I don't understand why college athletes don't Williamson played one year at Duke before get paid because they bring university value,” said Jor- entering the 2019 NBA Draft where the New Orleans dan Beslow, a sports management major at Bowie State Pelicans drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick. They University. “If a student can be a tutor for his universi- signed him to a four-year contract with a maximum ty and get paid, why not an athlete too?” value of $45 million, according to CNBC.com. The most recent example is former University Williamson also signed a seven-year, $75 mil- of Duke star Zion Williamson, a player with hype simi- lion shoe deal with the Jordan Brand, the largest annu- lar to NBA superstar LeBron James, who came out of al shoe deal for a rookie, according to ESPN.com. Then Saint Vincent Saint Mary’s High School in 2002 as the agreed to a seven-figure endorsement contract with No.1 player in the country. Gatorade, according to forbes.com. A lot of people showed more interest in college The pressure is mounting on the NCAA to al- basketball during the 2018-2019 season than the 2019- low student-athletes to earn profits off their name, im- 20 season because fans were interested in Williamson. age and likeness—now more than ever before. They Duke saw a massive spike in sold merchandise and the have competition from pro leagues, which are now amount of interest in their televised basketball games. compensating top prospects directly out of high school. According to Michael Smith of sportsbusinessdai- Projected lottery picks LaMelo Ball and R.J. Hampton ly.com, last season, Duke participated in the top three both decided to forgo the college route to play profes-

P A G E 30 F L O W S U M M E R 2 0 2 0 sionally overseas for one year, school prospects go overseas or where they received full — sala- into avenues like the G-League,” ries and preparation for the 2020 said David Carter, a mass com- NBA draft by playing against ex- munications student at Bowie perienced professional athletes. State University. With the 2020 NBA Draft months away, both players are September 2019, California currently projected as first-round Gov. Gavin Newsom signed picks. a bill that would allow col- I lege athletes in the state to aishen Nix, the nation's earn compensation for the use of No. 1 ranked high their likeness, sign endorsement school point guard in deals and hire agents to represent D the country, de- them. committed from the University of Central Los Angeles and joined The NCAA announced the G-League on April 28. The 6- April 29 its intention to start al- foot-5 inch guard from Fair- lowing athletes to profit off their banks, Alaska, is expected to re- name, image, and likeness begin- ceive a deal around $300,000, ning in 2021-22. They can also receive compensation for third- according to the New York Daily Green projected as the No.2 over- party endorsements and other News. ESPN’s 2021 Mock Draft all pick. has Nix projected to be selected areas like social media, personal in the first-round. Isaiah Todd, the No.13 businesses, and appearances, ranked high school player in the according to Bleacher Report. Jalen Green, the No.1 class of 2020, de-committed from “There are a lot of pros to high school player in the country the University of Michigan on paying college students,” said Ely from the 2020 class, had offers April 17 to explore the pro route Sussman, an associated editor at from nearly every major Division of playing in the G-League for a SB Nation. "Like helping athletes I school from across the country. year, according to ESPN.com. from low-income homes provide On April 16, however, he chose to The 18-year-old from Baltimore for their families and having start a new movement and join is expected to receive a salary of them perform at their highest the G-League—the NBA's pro $250,000 if he reached all the level thanks to the resources al- developmental league, according bonuses that are in his contract. lowing them to eat and train to ESPN.com. Green is expected ESPN 2021 Mock Draft also has properly. It will also improve the to receive a sum payment of Todd as a projected first-round public image of the NCAA if they $500,000 and play against expe- pick. rienced professionals, just at a are treating athletes fairly instead lower level. Before entering the “If the NCAA doesn't of exploiting them.” 2021 NBA Draft as a lottery pick. start paying athletes, they better ______ESPN’s 2021 Mock Draft has prepare to watch more elite high

All NCAA logos via Creative Commons

F L O W S U M M E R 2 0 2 0 P A G E 31