While colleges and universities continue to reap enormous profits generated by student athletes, the athletes have had little hope of enjoying the fruits of their labor. But across the country this notion is being challenged by lawmakers.
As a former NCAA Division I athlete, Senator Randolph Bracy (D-Ocoee) continued to move the debate forward this week by introducing an amendment to SB 646, which would require colleges and universities to equally compensate each student athlete 10 percent of the income from ticket sales to all athletic events. And this would be contingent upon the student athlete’s graduation.
Ultimately, the revenue sharing model was struck down in committee but not without significant debate. It sparked a much needed conversation about the inequality created by the NCAA rules and regulations which prohibit student athletes from receiving any form of monetary compensation.
Since SB 646 would not become effective until July 1, 2021, there is still plenty of time to shape the debate. Senator Bracy noted: “The college sports industry has swelled up into a behemoth multi-billion dollar enterprise while athletes faced a mounting demand on their bodies and schedules. It is unfair for student athletes to directly fuel the massive growth of this industry and not be compensated for it.”
