NCAA athletes are currently not allowed to receive compensation beyond their scholarships and the cost of attendance, but legislation is being proposed to allow them to profit from their name, image, and likeness.
And now, a closer look
NCAA athletes, who participate in a variety of sports including football, basketball, and soccer, are currently prohibited from earning compensation beyond their scholarships and the cost of attendance. However, recent legislation is being proposed that would allow athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). This move has been met with mixed reactions, with some arguing that it will provide equal opportunities for athletes to earn money, while others worry about potential consequences such as exploiting young athletes and creating an uneven playing field.
According to Forbes, if the legislation is passed, athletes could potentially earn significant sums of money through endorsements, appearances, and social media sponsorships. Former NCAA athlete and current ESPN analyst Jalen Rose stated that he believes allowing athletes to profit from their NIL should be a “no-brainer,” citing the NCAA’s massive revenue and the fact that many athletes come from low-income backgrounds.
However, there are concerns about the potential impact on smaller schools and athletes in non-revenue sports, as they may not have the same opportunities for endorsements and sponsorships. Additionally, there are concerns about how this change will be regulated and enforced across different schools and conferences.
Here are some interesting facts about the topic:
- The NCAA made over $1 billion in revenue in 2019, largely from media rights and ticket sales.
- Some states have already passed legislation allowing athletes to profit from their NIL, including California, Florida, and Colorado.
- Many high-profile athletes, including LeBron James and Megan Rapinoe, have publicly spoken out in support of allowing NCAA athletes to profit from their NIL.
- U.S. Senator Cory Booker recently introduced a bill that would provide college athletes with several rights, including the ability to collectively bargain and receive compensation for their NIL.
While the question of how much money an NCAA athlete can make is still uncertain, the proposed legislation represents a significant shift in the way college athletics operate. Here is an example table outlining some potential earnings for NCAA athletes if the legislation is passed:
| Athlete | Sport | Endorsements | Social Media Sponsorships |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | Basketball | $5 million/year | $1 million/year |
| Alex Morgan | Soccer | $1 million/year | $500,000/year |
| Trevor Lawrence | Football | $1 million/year | $500,000/year |
| Sabrina Ionescu | Basketball | $500,000/year | $250,000/year |
| Katie Ledecky | Swimming | $250,000/year | $100,000/year |
Video related “How much money can an NCAA athlete make?”
College athletes are now able to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) through endorsement deals, sponsorships, and appearances, following new NCAA rules and legislation in 28 states. Companies are leveraging athletes’ social media followings to determine their value, with top athletes earning over $100,00 in the first six months after the new rules. Athletes can also monetize their skills by giving lessons. While there are concerns about bad recruiting practices, student athletes are benefiting from this new era of college sports, although compliance challenges remain due to the lack of federal regulation.
Other viewpoints exist
Broadly speaking, the average income from NIL deals for student-athletes ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, however, we’ve seen cases where some athletes have earned a whole lot more than that.
College athletes do not get paid directly by the NCAA or their schools, but they can earn money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. The average annual compensation for an athlete in NCAA Divisions I-III combined is $3,438 from NIL deals. Additionally, college athletes on full scholarship receive a package of education, room, board, and coaching/training worth between $50,000 and $125,000 per year depending on their sport and school.
The Opendorse platform said average annual compensation for an athlete in NCAA Divisions I-III combined is $3,438 (through May 31). By division, DI athletes saw an average of $3,711, $204 in DII and $309 in DIII.
Using these valuations, and adding in the value of a scholarship, a student athlete at a major conference school on full scholarship is likely receiving a package of education, room, board, and coaching/training worth between $50,000 and $125,000 per year depending on their sport and whether they attend a public or private university.
Furthermore, people are interested
Do NCAA athletes get a salary?
Response: Did you know that college athletes can now make money? They are not paid by their colleges or universities, but they can receive gifts from boosters; make deals with companies to use their names, images and likenesses; and endorse products. What do you think about that?
How much can NCAA football players make?
As of Jun 12, 2023, the average annual pay for a Ncaa Football in the United States is $40,790 a year.
What is the highest-paid NIL deal?
The answer is: Day was the first head coach to publicly state the importance of securing NIL money in order to stay competitive in recruiting. That led to the launch of “The Foundation.” The collective helped broker the largest NIL deal ever for $550,000 and included Stroud.
Which NCAA sports make money?
In reply to that: Football. The biggest revenue producer among college sports is no surprise: It’s football. College football brings in an average of $31.9 million per school per year, financial website Zacks.com reported.
What are the NCAA rules on paying athletes?
Response will be: “The NCAA states that college athletes may not receive any pay or benefit from any outside party in return for their labor of the sport, may not utilize an agent to advise him or provide representation, and may not use their image to promote themselves outside the NCAA” (Stephen Shaver, Unnecessary Roughness).
Should NCAA athletes be compensated?
Should NCAA Athletes be Paid? College athletes across the country have been arguing for the right to be compensated to obtain investment funds after graduation; to help them start their adult life safely. Since December 16, 2020, the Supreme Court case has been in discussion and has recently seen some progress.
Will the NCAA ever pay student athletes?
Student athletes can now make money off their name, image and likeness. A decision by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will allow student athletes from all 1,268 NCAA member schools to make money off of their name, image and likeness (NIL), without losing their eligibility or scholarships, effective July 1.
Is the NCAA taking advantage of its athletes?
The NCAA has been taking advantage of its student-athletes for decades, whether they are non-revenue generating athletes or not. The purpose of athletics is to prepare the athlete to become professional, bring exposure to the school, and bring in revenue. This aforementioned cause affects the student athlete in a myriad of ways.
What are the NCAA rules on paying athletes?
As a response to this: “The NCAA states that college athletes may not receive any pay or benefit from any outside party in return for their labor of the sport, may not utilize an agent to advise him or provide representation, and may not use their image to promote themselves outside the NCAA” (Stephen Shaver, Unnecessary Roughness).
Should NCAA athletes be compensated?
Should NCAA Athletes be Paid? College athletes across the country have been arguing for the right to be compensated to obtain investment funds after graduation; to help them start their adult life safely. Since December 16, 2020, the Supreme Court case has been in discussion and has recently seen some progress.
Will the NCAA ever pay student athletes?
Response: Student athletes can now make money off their name, image and likeness. A decision by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will allow student athletes from all 1,268 NCAA member schools to make money off of their name, image and likeness (NIL), without losing their eligibility or scholarships, effective July 1.
Is the NCAA taking advantage of its athletes?
As a response to this: The NCAA has been taking advantage of its student-athletes for decades, whether they are non-revenue generating athletes or not. The purpose of athletics is to prepare the athlete to become professional, bring exposure to the school, and bring in revenue. This aforementioned cause affects the student athlete in a myriad of ways.