Even though collegiate athletes brings in untold fortunes for schools, TV networks, merchandise makers, ticket vendors, and the hospitality and travel industries, they are not — according to a federal appeals court — employees of their schools and are therefore not entitled to be paid anything.
In Oct. 2014, a class action lawsuit [PDF] filed against the NCAA and its many Division I member schools alleged that student athletes at these colleges are, in fact, unpaid employees. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees are to be paid at least the federal minimum wage.
The plaintiffs argued that schools pay students in the work-study program at least minimum wage, while student-athletes are expected to give up significant chunks of their time training and competing for schools that benefit greatly from the students’ work but pay them nothing.
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The sports program at any school or college is not a part of a work-study program.
ReplyDeleteMost of these kids get a free ride. Why should they get paid? Nobody is forcing them to play.
ReplyDeleteno wait, pay thim min wage
ReplyDeletebut take away any scholarships
make them actually earn the degree
and most of them will be making min wage anyway flipping burgers when they graduate
7:13 - totally agree. They have talent and get free education, room and board not to mention national exposure (depending on division) and a shot at the pros.
ReplyDelete