My problem is that academic universities should be about academics . I think paying athletes would severely reduce the focus on academicsThey don ' t focus on academics anyways . Studentathletes are basically working a full time job with their athletics while also being expected to take a full course load . It ' s impossible for most to manage . So they take easy majors and joke classes and graduate with a degree they probably can ' t use . I had a work study at the Academic Support office at my alma mater , and I can tell you that probably about 80 % of all athletes in our university were either Communications or Sports Management majors . Student athletes aren ' t getting the same education regular students are anyways . I think paying athletes would severely reduce the focus on academics and raise tuition and fees past what they already are . Don ' t have the schools pay the athletes then . Doing so would raise Title IX concerns while really only the football and basketball players make money for their schools and deserve compensation . Instead allow players to accept gifts and profit off of their own likeness . If some rich booster wants to pay some top recruit 6 figures to come play at their school I don ' t really see why that shouldn ' t be allowed .