Should college athletes be paid? This essay argues that student athletes at universities across the country should not only earn a percentage of income from their athletic performances but also pursue commercial deals and sponsorship opportunities. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay College athletes are often considered among the luckiest young people in the world. Most of the time they benefit from full scholarships that cover all school costs; Furthermore, they are in a privileged position to build a reputation in the world of sport and prepare for the professionals. However, there are many issues with how college athletes are treated, and many students, coaches, team owners, and members of organizations (such as those in the NCAA) are calling for reform. Their main desires? Seeing reliable college athletes get paid for their skills on the field. The typical Division I college athlete dedicates 43.3 hours per week to their sport, which is 3.3 hours more than the typical American work week, meaning they don't have time to work a job to make money. Many people believe that college athletes should be paid because financially, the NCAA and school systems are taking advantage of them. In 2014, the UCONN basketball star said, “We have hungry nights where we don't have enough money to get food. Sometimes money is needed. I don't think you should spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to play, because a lot of times kids don't know how to handle money. I feel like a student athlete. Sometimes there are hungry nights when I can't eat, but I still have to use my abilities. “These organizations are reaping huge profits from selling merchandise, from live events to media coverage, but they still can't get a couple of hundred dollars a week for food or gas. Unlike professional leagues, however, athletes do not receive any reductions. College teams may not have the same national clout as some professional teams, but they are followed just as avidly by thousands of adoring fans. Tons of merchandise, jerseys, tickets, food and fan accessories are sold thanks to their performances, but despite them being the main reason why the events generate revenue; the players don't see a cent. Many athletes feel discouraged and mistreated because they are not receiving the money generated into their account. Why should others continue to benefit from their performance without getting anything in return? “One of the main reasons why college athletes should not be paid is simply because they are not professionals. College athletes are people trying to become pros and then not getting paid because they haven't made it yet. Since these players are in college, they should never be paid to play their sport.” Says writer Maurice Reed Jones. But there's a big problem with this statement. These athletes put the same amount of time and effort into their college careers as the pros. You might be thinking, “These kids are being awarded a full athletic scholarship worth thousands of dollars, they don't need more money.” The scholarship money only goes towards tuition, books and bedding, which means where does the money for food come from? How about a car and gas to go to training or come home to see your family? What if.