Counterargument to "Let's Start Paying College Athletes"

          In an article I came across called "Let's Start Playing College Athletes," Joe Nocera explains his opinion on whether or not college athletes should be paid. Nocera argues that college athletes should be paid because he knows that the athletes are not stupid, by that he means that the athletes knows that they see their names on jerseys and it is because of them their university is making millions from it.  He states that from college football and basketball alone can generate up to $6 million dollars in revenue and the "labor force," the athletes, that help generate the millions of dollars get nothing in return. If an athlete were to get some earnings then it would have to go through the NCAA to approve it, if not then it would be a violation. Nocera also remarks that even an unapproved burger from the coach or fan is a violation. To him, it's an irrational rule because of the NCAA's strict regulations on what an athlete can or can not receive. As a result Nocera established a plan that consists of five elements. These elements are his thoughts on a way to reward the athletes without simply giving them cash. The first is to offer recruits real athletic contracts just like the professional teams, the second is to create a minimum wage salary for the college sports teams, which includes their scholarship, the third being to offer the athletes scholarships to those who want to go further into their education, the fourth being lifetime health insurance, and the fifth element is to create an organization that represents old and current college athletes. With the NCAA, the coaches, and the university earning millions Nocera believes that his plan is fair instead of the athletes doing all the hard work and receiving nothing.

         In my opinion Nocera's argument that college athletes are basically being unappreciated for all their hard work is something we can agree with. I also like how he establishes a plan that can become realistic, but i can not agree with his plan to create a minimum wage salary for the college sports team. The athletes that do come to play college sports have that privilege to play for the school. These athletes are still students who have also come to college to go further into their education. I do agree that as the NCAA and colleges in this nation make millions the athletes that helped rake in that money aren't being rewarded at all. The other four elements Nocera creates is something i can agree with. Money shouldn't be the focus because what if an athlete wants to get their masters degree or even a doctorates. If that is the case colleges should give their athletes scholarships that are valued more so that it can cover all the fees and expenses and cover the extra years an athlete wants to stay in college to go further into their education. Nocera had a strong argument which can also persuade those that read because it offers realistic solutions. I still can't agree with all of it though. But the solutions he came up with was the strongest part and those who can be persuaded by this would be athletes and the people who have similar opinions on how a college athlete should be rewarded in some way.