By R. L. Harvey

College athletes are now getting paid, and fans are starting to see a growing share of the bill. This shift has sparked a lot of debate and concern among supporters of college sports. This discussion is based on an article by Eddie Pells, AP National Writer.

“Maintaining a high level of support for our 29 NCAA athletic programs will take an elevated commitment from everyone,” one athletic director wrote to fans. At Tennessee, they are adding a ‘talent fee’ to the price of sports tickets. At Arkansas, they will charge 3% more at the concessions stands. At Michigan and Michigan State, athletic directors sent letters alerting boosters that winning is going to start costing more. And, in a first, Clemson is going to start adding an athletic surcharge to tuition bills.

I’ve been against NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) since its inception. Many of my friends share this sentiment. I played baseball at the [College] University of the Ozarks my freshman year, and the work was no doubt intense—six or so hours per day dedicated to the sport. But I didn’t pay a nickel for tuition, books, or any other expenses. In fact, thanks to the GI Bill, I was paid to go to college.

My friend Grant Hall had this to say: “College athletics will crash and burn in 5-7 years. It is an unsustainable model.” I’m inclined and hopeful to agree with him and many others who share the same sentiment. These “student-athletes” are now merely hired guns or paid professionals. It takes away the entire idea of playing for your school and the love of the game.

The essence of college sports has always been about representing your school and playing for the sheer love of the game. With the introduction of NIL, this spirit is being overshadowed by financial incentives. The increasing costs being passed on to fans and students are a testament to the changing priorities in college athletics.

As we move forward, it’s crucial to consider the long-term implications of these changes. Will college sports remain a cherished tradition, or will they become just another commercial enterprise? Only time will tell, but for now, the growing concerns among fans and former athletes are hard to ignore.