Sports may not have the term ‘business’ written directly in its spelling. However, it is based on similar principles; including respect, integrity, and overall effort. In the United States, the way college athletics are managed, is a business within itself.
Ethics are at the heart of any good business. That being said – is it the ethical decision to pay college athletes? Time magazine’s recent cover story featured the headline: It’s Time to Pay College Athletes. Penned by Sean Gregory, the article cites that the young players should be fully rewarded for their work; which includes attracting millions of revenue to the schools through ticket, concession and memorabilia sales. The move to increase the athletes’ salaries has sparked discussion from both sides of the spectrum, supporters referring to it as “an ethical imperative.”
In my response to Mr. Gregory’s article, I do not believe it is an obligation that players should be receiving additional pay. There is a significant separation between college and professional sports, and this should be recognized in all aspects. John Rowady, president of sports marketing and media agency, rEvolution, adds that with the change, “you have to wonder if it would change the whole dynamic of what it means to be a student-athlete.” Precisely. It is unethical to increase the benefits of top-ranking players, many of whom are already receiving scholarships towards their education, and large amounts of exposure – which helps players build their brand and personal image – a non-monetary, but long-lasting benefit.
Paying these athletes for doing what they enjoy, may cause a significant decline in the sportsmanship and standards of the game. We all have a moral responsibility to ourselves and society, just like athletes have a dignity to uphold. However, it is easy for one to make a conscious mistake and a wrong decision. The dean of Harvard Business School, Nitin Nohria, has remarked that, “it’s easy for people to believe in their own sense of moral responsibility; but what happens when they are…tempted by large short-term gains?” I hope that before any future changes are made to college athletes’ pay, first look at what opportunities they have already received and benefited from.
Sources:
http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2151167,00.html