Topic of the Day: Should College Athletes Be Paid?

 Heard that the SEC coaches voted unanimously to give the footbal players a $300 per day stipend for gameday expenses, this would be taken out of the coaches checking account.

sounds like a ncaa infraction there duffer!

 @koocher, Heard about it on sports talk radio yesterday morning, had to go before a commitee or something?  I dont know much on details and dont know if mainstream media has picked it up.

It would be a good way to bypass having the school pay all athletes.

I would like to see the players get some money,  they spend a lot of time practicing and preparing, would make it hard to have a job.  Most wont go pro anyway.

Bear in mind they are getting on the average - $20,000 in free room and board and tuition per year plus all travel expenses and they do get money for bowl trips, like a $400 stipend.

They also get to see the country, fly on chartered planes and stay in great hotels with great food...it is not like they are getting nothing!!   A college education if they choose to study and realize the benefit of a free BA from a major university is pricelss.  Only 5% of all NCAA Players make the NFL!!!

I say NO....perhaps a stipend of $500 per month since they are not allowed to have a job...but thats should be it...$125 a week for beer and pizza and oir a movie or two is plenty for a 19 year old...

After reading all the stories about the poor college football players starving to death and some not having enough money for booze and women, I started donating to the Sally Struthers Save the Player Foundation.  Together we can make difference!  

By sending just 80 cents a day, the price of a cup coffee, you can make sure a player has plenty of money for hookers and blow during all 3 years of his Sophomore year.

I wonder how many players appreciate the value of the scholarships they receive.

Broke players might be more easily swayed to throw a game or "have a bad day".  Which is ok with me,  nothing like proffiting from a corrupt player thats "on the take".

Agreed. Something should be done. Some kind of per diem should be considered. But you bring up excellent points JD and TonyG. How do you curb a Reggie Bush-type infraction (which you really can't) but keep them within the rules of a program? A tax-free per diem (even if it's 35 bucks a day) would make it more transparent for any school under NCAA jurisdiction. If a school is making money off of a Fab Five-type team a portion of the proceeds should go toward the players' tuition (if they're on full scholarship? more per diem to 'em). If a university is making profits exceeding a certain number off of a players' jersey (etc) some kind of residual should be considered. Just my "five cents".

No. For the most part they are getting a free education and they know the drill when they sign their letters of intent. They are getting free room and board and they have access to some of the best training facilities in the country. Let's be honest, when this topic is discussed most people are talking about the top college football players, guys who will sell jerseys with their number on it...the majority of those guys will have a shot at the NFL. There is no way college football players will ever be paid the kind of money that will make a major difference in their lives. So what else do they need besides a bed, shelter from the elements, food, access to training, access to academic help, and access to hundreds of beautiful women?

No, after paying for college for four daughters at good schools I can appreciate the value of a good education at a quality school. Too many people don't appreciate the value and significance of a full ride scholarship.