College Athletes Likeness Rights Essay

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Recent years have seen extensive debates regarding the issue of college athletes' likeness rights. As collegiate sports generate significant revenue and publicity, there is growing concern about the exploitation of student-athletes and the restrictions placed on their ability to profit from their image and likeness. The prominence of sports in American society undeniably influences how colleges and universities handle this conflict. Similar to how progress in science and technology compels us to adapt to the changing times, the increasing significance attributed to athletics by society necessitates a reevaluation of our approach. Nonetheless, the rights of student-athletes mustn't be marginalized in favor of school prestige and financial gains. …show more content…

However, the downside is that student-athletes may find themselves in academically challenging environments without having demonstrated the same academic capabilities as their non-athlete counterparts. Instances abound wherein student-athletes have either graduated with rudimentary reading skills or failed to graduate altogether due to the lack of guidance toward a specific degree path. These situations treat student-athletes unfairly and cast a disheartening shadow on the overall integrity of higher education. To impartial observers, the predicament faced by student-athletes is deeply troubling. Despite the prevailing emphasis on education in American society, numerous institutions of higher learning, ostensibly established with the primary goal of delivering education, have instead prioritized athletics over academics. While clarifying the NCAA’s role in compensating athletes for their educational degrees the statement from the case O’Bannon v NCAA states “At that point, the NCAA will have surrendered its amateurism principles entirely and transitioned from its “particular brand of football” to minor league status” (O’Bannon v NCAA, 200). The argument defends the NCAA's preservation of amateurism principles by asserting that it safeguards the unique nature of college sports. By maintaining amateurism, the NCAA upholds the notion that college athletes participate in sports primarily for the love of the game and the pursuit of a well-rounded educational experience. However, as the NCAA turns its sports championships into large-scale entertainment, it is the players' right to be compensated for their athletic work. By monetizing their NIL, college athletes can generate additional income that can also be used to support their education. This financial support can help cover various expenses,

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