As college athletics grows and continues to bring large financial gain to universities and corporate sponsors, the debate over paying college athletes continues to grow. But while the debate between supporters and opponents increases across the country, the college athletics' governing body has not acted on the matter. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has a tight set of rules to help maintain a player's amateur status. These rules prohibit payment to student-athletes. The other side of the coin is just as unfortunate. Under NCAA rules, any player who is on athletic scholarship is forbidden from having a full-time or part-time job. The college athletic organization is quickly becoming a multi-million dollar a year industry. Because of this fact, there are many people that feel college athletes should obtain a small salary or wage for their services. At the same time, there or just as many people who disagree and say that they are receiving pay through their scholarships. The duration of this paper will investigate the dilemma that faces many American colleges "To Pay or not to Pay."
             That is my question for you. That is also the question that thousands of student-athletes are wondering about each year. Although the NCAA passed legislation in 1998 allowing athletes to work on a restricted basis, many cannot afford something as simple as a new outfit because of the sports-related time constraints they face. The NCAA has set its income level for athletes at $1500 a year. That is only $125 a month. This may not seem like an outrageous figure considering their education is completely paid for, but many athletes come from broken homes. Because of this they cannot afford the luxuries that may have been afforded them otherwise.
             Another huge factor in the argument for payment is the huge television deals that are being signed by teams for the right to broadcast a game. CBS holds an eight-year, $1.725...