On
the subject of Student-Athletes getting paid, the NCAA has been undergoing a legal
issue that began in 2009, when former Nebraska football player, Sam Keller
filed a lawsuit challenging the use of his likenesses in archival footage, as
avators (in video games), in photographs and promotions. Later the case was consolidated with other
similar cases filed by former UCLA basketball player, Ed O’Bannon, former
Cincinnati basketball Oscar Robertson and more.
These
lawsuits bring legal issue to not only the NCAA but also EA Sports and
Collegiate Licensing Company to gain compensation for the use of their “likeness.” This has been such a hot topic that talks of
this may even lead to current student-athletes receiving compensation.
On
May 9th, a judge denied the motions due to not providing enough factual information
and having weakness in their theories. This case plans to go to a jury trial in
February 2014.
I have to say that when we had the class
debate about student-athletes, both sides provided valid arguments. I knew that student-athletes put in a lot of
time into their sport, in addition to their studies. What I did not know was
how hard some aspects of being a student-athlete could be. I never played at the collegiate level but I
imagine if I did, I would definitely appreciate the financial assistance to fly
home to see my family. I think there
needs to be more programs or opportunity for athletes to earn money in some fashion
that does not affect the amateurism of college sports or their university.
Student-Athletes
getting paid because of their “likeness” will force more issues to arise
amongst the university, leagues , NCAA and more. The question of who will pay the athletes
comes to mind. I think it will cause trouble amongst the players, ruining the
relationships on the team, ruining that special element that makes college
sports worth watching versus professional sports.
Maybe
in the near future we could implement a program dedicated to helping student-athletes
with financial assistance outside of their educational needs. I imagine we could set a program that is an
association dedicated to raising these funds. Student-athletes can help run it, with
one to two staff members monitoring it.
Plus, this could expand to being a source for student-athletes to learn
job skills.
As
for former student-athletes, there needs to be a better contract to using their
names in games and promotions so that they can receive compensation. Using the names of former players need to be
discussed between the game company and the former player signing off for compensation.
I think even a one-time lump sum for the use of my likeness and name would be
better than nothing at all.
L.Lozoya
LT24
KIN577
Leticia,
ReplyDeleteIn reading your post I feel that the Universities should implement some sort of program that can help the students financially. I understand that the athletes dedicate their time to their sport but they also need to know how to make money and survive in society. Most athletes do not even make it to the professional level and have to seek other options. The students should create a student business for athletes so that it is runned by them and they get to keep the money they make. Student-Athletes in my opinion should never be paid because they are getting paid in a valuable education that most of us will never get to experience. There is definitely room to explore some options of how to get our athletes some money to live off of. We need to make sure that they have work experience because once they leave college and realize that they wont play professional they need to have that work experience to go places.
Rebecca Lamas
LT24
KIN577