Alabama Crimson Tide: NCAA to allow players to earn profit

In an unexpected move, the NCAA Board of Governors voted to allow student athletes to profit off of their “name, image, and likeness” beginning as soon as the 2021-2022 season. Alabama Crimson Tide athletes could soon be getting paid.

It’s about time. For years, everyone in the collegiate sports industry has profited. The schools profit, the media profits, the divisions and NCAA profit, but Alabama Crimson Tide players and their counterparts across college sports, have not. Players have not been able to earn or accept money despite their hard work and dedication being the ones bringing the money in.

It really has never been fair. Some of the players come from nothing, with sports as their only escape from their circumstances. Yet they have had to continue to watch their family suffer as they grind through college in hopes of one day making it to the professional leagues. The players are well taken care of in college, but it does not change the fact that many of their families continue to suffer.

In 2021, that will finally change. Players will not be given money from their school or organization but will be able to earn income through “promotions and third-party endorsements” according to NCAA Board President, Michael Drake.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa would have been able to profit from the “Tanking for Tua” campaign- that ended up paying off for the Miami Dolphins. Former Alabama Crimson Tide running back Josh Jacobs would have been able to help out his father sooner.

These student athletes dedicate their entire lives to their sport. They sacrifice so much throughout their high school and collegiate careers to strive for greatness. They give their all to their respective University and deserve compensation for that beyond having their own basic needs met.

Earlier this year, a South Florida college football recruit died by suicide. He was committed to play football for Georgia Tech in the upcoming season. In the days after his death, his story began to be shared. The young man had suffered through homelessness and financial struggles with his family. He reportedly felt mounting pressure as the oldest boy to care for his family.

He had a bright future and was so close to seeing his dreams become reality. But as a result of the current NCAA policy, he would have had to wait until he made it to the NFL to be able to support his family.

Being away at college having all your physical needs met while your family struggles with homelessness and food insecurity at home is a burden college student should not have to bear. Once they make it to college, they should not have to continue to wait.

In light of stories like this, the NCAA made the best decision possible in the interest of these players. Everyone deserves to be able to profit from their own hard work.