Deciding on the case of NCAA vs. Shawne Alston, former West Virginia running back. The supreme court ruled that NCCA can not prohibit its member institution from providing "education-related" payments and benefits to their athlete students. The ruling has opened a gateway to various resources that can be supplied to the students who play sports for their institutions
The bottom line of the issue as per the court is that the NCAA and member colleges are withholding the rightful payments that they should give to their student-athletes. They generate millions of dollars. They do this by signing lucrative television deals, selling tickets to the games, signing big brands as sponsors, and more. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the case "Those enormous sums of money flow to seemingly everyone except the student-athletes. College presidents, athletic directors, coaches, conference commissioners, and NCAA executives take in six- and seven-figure salaries. Colleges build lavish new facilities. But the student-athletes who generate the revenues, end up with little or nothing. Many of who are African American and from lower-income backgrounds, "
On the other hand, NCAA put forward their reservation that athletes are amateurs to be paid. The advocates of NCAA’s amateurism model say that colleges are already covering the cost of attendance tuition, boarding, and some living expenses which is sufficient for amateur players. Furthermore, according to them, it preserves the very thin line between college and professional sports. The advocates of college athletes perceive that it might have been true years back. At that time young players used to compete only against the athletes of other schools in their region. Consequently, they did not need the intense training that they need now when they play full-fledged college-level leagues that sign highly profitable TV deals, particularly in sports like basketball and football. Various former athletes support the agendas. They understand the skills and labor that young athletes use to generate massive revenues for everyone except those who play the game.
In conclusion, the decision however will not empower college players to receive big salaries all of a sudden. But it is a great step towards a big change in U.S. college sports. The decision also sets more lawsuits in motion to determine the validity of NCAA's no compensation and amateurism model. US college sports can see more changes around the corner such as the one which is going to affect many athletes with effect from coming Thursday. That is when around six states including Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and New Mexico, will enact the laws. Laws that to allow college athletes to make a profit from their image. Players would be able to make money through activities such as signing an endorsement deal, selling autographs, hosting training camps, and more.
College sports is bracing for an era they expect will be marked by chaos, uncertainty and change. This ruling might just be the turning point for better things to come.
