An Alternative View Of March Madness | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

An Alternative View Of March Madness

Should student athletes be compensated?

12
An Alternative View Of March Madness
PBS

It is that time of the year again when every guy begins making bets with their best friends, its March Madness. Intelligence will be measured by statistics and pure luck for this time period. Many people will lose a lot of money, and only a select few will walk away with their best friends beer money.

So it should be time to make the routine discussion of a basketball players rights to financial compensation. The NCAA had staggering revenue of 1 billion dollars in 2014, later in 2015 that number was constant. The winners and collectors of that large sum of money are the schools, coaches, and NCAA. The one group of people who are not paid a financial sum is the players. The players are the only reason the NCAA is in business.

Taking into consideration that the players are compensated through tuition, room and board, meal plans, and fees. All of those compensations are very rewarding and is well deserved.

Much of the revenue made from the sport events comes through viewership. However another large part of the revenue comes from the selling of merchandise. Essentially the NCAA has been marketing the player’s jersey numbers and names.

Compensating players with a highly esteemed education and basic living conditions is a great compensation. But marketing a player’s name and jersey number is unethical. Players should be receiving a percentage of the merchandise that is sold in their name.

Any normal professional sports player reviews a contract with the sports organization they are associated with and agree upon a percentage of the merchandise sales. The NCAA is no different than any other sports organization; the only difference is that they commission athletes before they officially become professional.

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah interviewed Joe Nocera this week on the topic of NCAA. Nocera is a credible New York Times writer who has recently written a book titled "Indentured: The Inside Story of the Rebellion Against the NCAA." His recommendation on the show was that if any players want to receive their rights to any monetary privileges they should refuse to play. More specifically the final four in March Madness refuse to play to take the NCAA off their guard.

The NCAA would have to meet their demands as this is the biggest pay out time of the year for them and they would not want to see it go down the drain. The players have the right to demand for merchandise compensation above all else and should be compensated immediately.

Side note, Kentucky do not stay in the lockers and refuse to play. I put a lot of faith in you this season and I intend to win again this year. Purdue losing set my bracket off enough as it is. The other teams can protest in the lockers, please not you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

192678
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

16326
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458986
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27245
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments