There is a huge amount of money being made off college sports and has led to some questions to whether or not student-athletes should be paid for their efforts. As Forbes' Chris Smith wrote, CBS and Turner Broadcasting make more than $1 billion off the games, "thanks in part to a $700,000 ad rate for a 30-second spot during the Final Four." Athletic conferences receive millions of dollars in payouts from the NCAA when their teams advance deep into the tournament. Ditto for the coaches of the final squads standing. (US News and World Report, 2014) Unfortunately, the players don’t ever get to see any of that money, even though they risk career-ending injuries each time they step out onto the court, field or rink. In March of last year, Louisville Cardinals Kevin Ware suffered a gruesome broken leg, he successfully had surgery but it is still uncertain whether or not he will return. A group of former players filed an antitrust lawsuit alleging that student athletes should be entitled to some of the money the NCAA makes off of using their names and likenesses on merchandise such as jerseys, video games, Ads. Etc. If college athletes were allowed to accept money it would encourage good grades, make a good incentive program, and help with recruitment of players.

Up until now the debate over whether a college athlete should be compensated during their sports career was just a debate; this has recently turned into more than that. In my opinion compensating the players would encourage them to be better students and make better grades. Many people agree that any such funds should be limited to high-profile athletes who complete a four year degree. Not only would this encourage better students and better grades, but it could give those athletes that drive to want to attend class more and pass their grades. No pass no play is the motto and I believe it is an effective