Who Are the Most Exploited Workers in America?

By Filed under Science and Other News on March 22, 2011 with 8 comments

College athletes, of course. Here is Jason Shafrin, writing at his blog:

There [are] ten universities who collect more than $100 million in sports revenue, led by the University of Texas with just over $143 million.  Fifty six universities earn sports revenue over $50 million.

Yet what do the student athletes get? A scholarship to college? Yes. But for the elite athletes, this doesn’t even come close to the money they bring in to the university.  It is a travesty that many athletes from poor households help raise millions of dollars for their universities, but do not see a penny of it themselves.

Whole piece is worth reading.

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Comments (8)

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  1. Devon Herrick says:
    March 22, 2011 at 4:14 pm

    This is an interesting argument. Universities earn millions from having students who are star athletes on sports teams. Star athletes only have a few years of peak playing ability — some are washed up well before age 30. Yet, universities could theoretically profit from, say, 25% of their peak earning years.

  2. Greg says:
    March 22, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    Agree. The University of Texas is making a fortune off these athletes.

  3. Tom H. says:
    March 22, 2011 at 4:27 pm

    The colleges are farm teams for the pros. For the athletes who make it, they should probably pay something to their alma maters. It’s those that don’t make it who are being exploited.

  4. Tom says:
    March 22, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    Yes, and I hear they have to beat and chain the athletes to keep them from fleeing.

    Give me a break, these athletes are given a tremendous opportunity when they sign with these universities; they are not sweatshop workers or child soldiers.

  5. Linda Gorman says:
    March 22, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    At the very least the NCAA should allow majors in football or basketball. Not much difference between that and a major in music.

  6. Stephen C. says:
    March 23, 2011 at 6:03 am

    Response to Tom without the H. The universities are luring these guys into devoting all their attention to athletics. They pay no attention to studies. Many don’t graduate. Those that do, haven’t learned anything. And if they don’t make the pros, they have nothing to show for it.

    Meanwhile the colleges are cashing in big.

  7. Erik says:
    March 23, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    Farmworkers are the most exploited workers in America.

  8. Keith Anderson says:
    August 14, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    For the PERFECT way to pay college athletes, see http://www.pcaa.us.