NCAA Reform Number One: Let Student Athletes Get Money On Their Own

When I first started going to college lo so many years ago, I would have painted myself as firmly in the camp of stating that student athletes who were receiving scholarships should not be paid. Period.

However, as I spent time on campus and then became a higher education professional (and now part time sports blogger/analyst), my position evolved and changed. Of course, the cost of attendance at most schools around the country has spiraled out of control over the last 15-20 years.

Yes, an athlete is receiving, in some places, an education valued at nearly $40,000/year or more (and possibly much more when some schools start paying the full cost of attendance). The howls from those who believe that student athletes should not receive any additional compensation grow loud.

The hurdle of Title IX is also in place as well, and as costs increase across the board, important decisions are going to have to be made in regards to the place of Olympic sports and their sustainability going forward.

Of course, another option could have/should have been pursued. It might not be any more than a patch, but it also reflects a reality that, sadly, the NCAA brass and administrators seem to be missing.

Allow for the student athletes to receive their scholarships, and also allow them to monetize outside of the scope of the program.

In other words, let them profit off of their talent and ability and the fame that comes along with that.

Want to trade a trinket for tattoos? Fine.

Want to get paid for selling a gameworn jersey for $1000? Let it be.

Want to sit in a hotel room and sign 80 helmets and 100 footballs? So what?

If they are savvy enough to somehow strike a sponsorship deal on their own with a Nike, adidas or Under Armour, then kudos to them.

Let the student athletes take on the responsibility for curating their own way and start to learn some fiscal responsibility on their own. Or even better, continue to allow them to take advantage of their skills if they have the chance to make outside money from another avenue.

I can hear some naysayers complaining about the possible issues with fraudulent employment and the balance of power being shifted by those schools who have deep pocketed alums, blah, blah, blah.

Because everything has been balanced in intercollegiate athletics, especially in the revenue sports up to this point, right? Akron and Eastern Michigan have always been able to compete with Ohio State and Michigan for the top athletes, right?

Exactly.

That argument doesn't really fly as the gulf in television revenue continues to widen the already apparent gulf between the haves and have nots.

If these student athletes are supposed to be going pro in something other than sports, and if hands on experience is becoming more and more important upon entering the workforce, then let's allow student athletes to work and earn money without restrictions.