Are the Current Policies of the NCAA Glorified Slavery?

In the wake of recent NCAA rulings against the University of Miami, claiming that some of their student athletes received improper benefits, the question comes to mind “Are the current policies of the NCAA glorified slavery?” The simple answer is, yes. The form of slavery exemplified here is technically called indentured servitude. An indentured servant is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as a person who signs and is bound by indentures (contract) to work for another for a specified time especially in return for payment of travel expenses and maintenance. This action is the exact thing that occurs when an NCAA student-athlete signs their letter of intent to attend a particular college or university. They sign a binding contract for a specific period of time in which they are compelled to work for their university, and in return they are only given a “free” tuition, room, board, and equipment. Anyone and everyone but the athlete and their family can profit from the athletes work and they are not allowed to receive any kind of other benefits or it is a violation under the rules of the NCAA.

In respect to college football and basketball, 95% of the student-athletes are African Americans that come from non-wealthy homes. These athletes bring millions of dollars in revenue to their institutions and simply receive meniscal compensation. The worst part about it is their “employer” (the institution) can take away their scholarship at any time for any reason and leave the athlete with nothing to show for their talents.

How can any logical person think this is right at all? It is easily seen as slavery or indentured servitude. As Clay Travis stated here the NCAA is the most anti-capitalistic system of rules in our American capitalistic society.

The only justifications that the enforcers try to give are very similar to the arguments that people who were against the abolition of slavery tried to give.

1.    There would be a serious economic impact. They say that institutions could not afford to pay their athletes. Even though they are bringing the schools millions of dollars (with respect to football and men’s basketball)

2.    There would be wide spread chaos. They say that there would be widespread corruption and more benefits being given to players than allowed. Well, that is already happening now, and this would decrease that.

3.    They already have a better life than before. Here they say that they are giving them something invaluable, an education. They are not properly compensating them for their contribution of millions to the institution and that is not fair.

Its simple, this current policy by the NCAA is ludicrous and the leadership of the NCAA and schools are promoting an outdated sense of amateurism that is skewed to prevent student athletes from marketing their talents. These athletes must be properly compensated for their contribution to the institution.