The End of Amateurism in College Sports: A New Era Begins

The End of Amateurism in College Sports: A New Era Begins

Last Monday marked a pivotal moment in the history of college athletics. In a federal courthouse in Oakland, California, Judge Claudia Wilken took a significant step towards dismantling one of America’s most outdated and controversial concepts: amateurism in college sports. This move, long overdue in the eyes of many, signals a shift towards a more equitable system for college athletes.

Judge Wilken’s approval of a settlement in the “House case” is set to revolutionize college sports by allowing athletic departments to pay their athletes directly. This payment will come from revenue streams such as media rights, ticket sales, and sponsorships. It’s a change that many believe should have been implemented generations ago.

While amateurism has been on life support for some time, thanks to name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals that have effectively served as pay-for-play, this settlement represents the official death certificate. No more work-arounds or loopholes—college athletes will now receive checks directly from their schools. This moment is worth pausing to reflect upon, as it marks a significant turning point in the history of college sports.

The Fall of a Flawed Concept

Gone are the days when one could look at a packed Ohio Stadium or a sold-out Final Four game and claim that anything “amateur” was happening. The notion that college sports, run by million-dollar commissioners, coaches, and athletic directors flying on private jets, wasn’t big business is now laughable.

Explaining to future generations that college athletes were once prohibited from receiving even a free slice of pizza at the campus pizzeria will be akin to describing life before the internet to a teenager. Just four years ago, the NCAA argued vehemently that allowing athletes like JuJu Watkins to appear in commercials would ruin college sports. Today, that argument seems absurd.

The Origins of Amateurism

The concept of amateurism originated in 19th-century England, where athletic competition was reserved for the wealthy elite. The working class, busy with factory or farm work, had little time or resources for sports. The idea was born out of a fear of increased competition and the possibility that rival elites might pay talented athletes to join their teams.

Amateurism was touted as noble and pure, a way to compete for the love of the game rather than money. However, this notion was primarily championed by those who already had money. In reality, amateurism was designed to protect the interests of the wealthy.

For reasons that remain unclear, American college athletics embraced this ethically questionable theory more staunchly than any other institution. The NCAA cleverly marketed amateurism as a symbol of purity while simultaneously raking in billions from March Madness advertising.

The Reality of College Sports

While the idea of amateurism was appealing, it was never rooted in reality. College athletes received scholarships, which, while valuable, were not always commensurate with the revenue they generated for their schools. As a result, under-the-table payments became the norm, and great players have been compensated for decades.

Even after the International Olympic Committee allowed professionals into the Games over 30 years ago, the NCAA continued to fight for amateurism. As recently as 2021, NCAA lawyers argued before the United States Supreme Court that fans would reject watching professional athletes. However, the success of the Dream Team, Michael Phelps, and Simone Biles at the Olympics proved this argument wrong.

• The NCAA lost by a vote of 9-zip in the Supreme Court case NCAA v. Alston.
• Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote, “The NCAA is not above the law.”
• Amateurism in college athletics collapsed like a house of cards.

With the House settlement, college sports leaders recognized the need to share the wealth. They preferred to have some of it—up to $20.5 million per year over the next decade—come directly from their coffers rather than through booster collectives doling out NIL deals.

The Future of College Sports

The future of college sports remains uncertain. How will rules be enforced? Can the new system withstand legal challenges? What about the positives from the unregulated NIL era, such as the spreading out of talent and the increased number of football teams contending for national championships?

These questions remain unanswered, and the landscape of college sports will continue to evolve. Some aspects will be lost, while others will be gained. Change is inevitable, and it takes time to adjust.

One thing is clear: the charade of amateurism is over. College sports is a multibillion-dollar industry, and it is now a professional operation, all the way down to the players. While amateurism may have benefited the wealthy, it was never a concept that should have existed or survived as long as it did.