Americans admire college athletes. College athletes are childhood fan favorites, and collegiate sports are core sources of entertainment for families across the country. Collegiate sports are celebrated as symbols of school spirit, athleticism, and entertainment, drawing millions of fans and generating billions of dollars in revenue. With the introduction of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), college athletes are allowed to receive financial compensations. Beneath the surface of roaring crowds, dazzling performances, and fan-favorite plays, there lies a troubling reality of NIL: the exploitation of student-athletes. 

The economic model of Division 1 National College Athletics Association (NCAA) athletics forces the academic success of collegiate athletes to take a backseat. Financial gains reign supreme in collegiate athletics, and universities bring in staggering amounts of money through popular sports like basketball and football. Despite the introduction of NIL into college sports, the majority of athletes receive very little in return for their labor. NBA all-star David West says, “Even with NIL, the same mechanisms of control are still in place, meaning the system is still set up to benefit the players last, not first.” The numbers support West’s claim: a $1.3 billion in revenue for the NCAA in the 2022-23 fiscal year alone. Power five universities collectively generated $8.3 billion during the 2018-2019 season. These figures are astronomical. The majority of student-athletes, particularly Black athletes who make up a significant portion of athletes in revenue-generating sports, mostly receive cost-of-attendance scholarships in exchange for their contributions. While athletes can now benefit from their Name, Image, and Likeness, during 2022 only 17% of student athletes at Division 1 Institutions participated in NIL activities. 

Academic neglect is another harsh reality faced by student-athletes. While some collegiate athletes excel both on the field and in the classroom, many are forced to prioritize their athletic commitments over their studies. They may choose easier majors or take lighter course loads to ensure they remain eligible to compete. Professional basketball player Josh Hart says he chose his major because "they gave Comm majors a free MacBook,...and I wanted a MacBook. So, I wanted to be a Comm major. That was really it. Nothing else. I did it for the MacBook.” The intense time commitment for college basketball, for example, leads to academic scandals like UNC’s paper-class where athletes took part in fake classes that yielded high grades in order to stay eligible. Research shows that athletes spend 25 hours a week on their sport outside of games. Meanwhile athletes only spend about 8 hours on academics. The amount of time dedicated to athletics, especially in high revenue generating sports, is immense. Balancing athletics with academics is essentially the work of two full time jobs. It will not be easy to reform the educational aspect of college sports; however, raising academic standards may be a step in the right direction towards reform. 

By raising academic standards, universities can instill a culture that aims to value education as much as athletic success. This culture would encourage student-athletes to strive for excellence in both realms. However, efforts to regulate athletes’ time commitment to the sport are not always feasible. Athletes should be fairly compensated for their time commitment and the substantial revenue they generate for their schools, as well as for their work and commitment to the school while also being supported and encouraged to pursue a degree. Beyond just their games, student-athletes invest countless hours into training and competition, often at the expense of their academic pursuits.

The recent move by Dartmouth athletes to unionize emphasizes the growing recognition of the need for fair compensation and protection of athletes' rights within collegiate athletics. While initiatives like NIL rights represent a step forward, they are just the beginning of a larger conversation about the equitable and fair treatment of student-athletes.

Athletes should be fairly compensated for their time commitment and the substantial revenue they generate for their schools. Beyond just their games, student-athletes invest countless hours into training and competition, often at the expense of their academic pursuits. 

Despite the emphasis on eligibility, the lower education quality of student-athletes becomes evident in professional life. Statistics reveal alarmingly low graduation rates among professional athletes, highlighting a systemic failure to support their academic pursuits. In the NFL, five out of ten players fail to earn a college degree despite spending multiple years in college. Similarly, only 21 percent of NBA players have college degrees, underscoring the disparity between athletic achievement and educational attainment. Fair compensation at the collegiate level not only acknowledges their contributions, but also may incentivize them to stay in school longer to complete their degrees. Alternatively, providing athletes with a guaranteed spot to return and finish their education if they leave early for an athletic professional career is essential in ensuring their long-term success and well-being.

While in school, coaches and academic advisors should play a more active role in student life by providing mentorship and guidance to help athletes balance their academic and athletic responsibilities effectively. Regular check-ins, academic goal-setting sessions, and personalized support can address the unique challenges faced by student-athletes and foster a more holistic approach to education.

However, while college athletes are students, they also function as workers within the collegiate athletics system. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy emphasizes the need to address the exploitation inherent in college athletics. He advocates for fair compensation, health, safety, academic protections, and the right to unionize for college athletes; “Majority-white executives have long exploited the talents and labor of majority Black college athletes, but America is finally waking up to the injustices that are inherent in college athletics. Giving athletes the ability to make money off their name, image, likeness should be considered the floor and not the ceiling. We must still ensure athletes receive fair compensation for their labor as well as health, safety and academic protections along with real power in their industry. This is a civil rights issue.”

The educational neglect that collegiate athletes often face contributes to financial instability that hurts many professional athletes after retirement. Research from the National Bureau of Economic Research shows that a staggering 15.7% of NFL players have filed for bankruptcy within twelve years of retiring. Similarly, a Sports Illustrated article reports that 78% of NFL players and 60% of NBA players face serious financial hardships post-retirement. These statistics highlight the harsh reality that many athletes confront once their playing careers come to an end. 

Education reform for college athletes is necessary. Despite their multi-million dollar contributions to educational institutions, student-athletes often receive an inadequate education. For top athletes college serves as a stepping stone to a professional athletic career, but life after sports is inevitable. Schools must prioritize and ensure a better academic environment for athletes, regardless of their professional aspirations.

While there is no one right answer, addressing financial hardship and academic neglect in collegiate athletics requires a multifaceted approach. Elevating academic eligibility requirements while providing more comprehensive academic support systems is a start. Advocating for fair compensation beyond NIL and enabling athletes to unionize can create a more equitable environment for student-athletes. By elevating academic standards, providing comprehensive support systems, advocating for fair compensation, and enabling athletes to unionize, we can create a more equitable and sustainable environment for student-athletes. It is imperative that we prioritize the well-being and rights of student-athletes while recognizing their dual roles as both students and essential contributors to the collegiate sports industry.