Opinion: College Sponsorships

By Finn Seeley ’25
​Was allowing college athletes to receive sponsorships a good decision? In short, yes.

College athletes now have the option to support their families, and they have an extra incentive to work hard. NCAA athletes had not been able to accept sponsorships, but, after years of debate, on July 1, 2021, athletes still competing in college are now allowed to be backed by other companies financially.
 
As previously mentioned, sponsorships aid the athletes and their families. This is important because many Division 1 athletes come from less privileged backgrounds, so the extra compensation that they receive from their sponsor can go a long way. These sponsorships are going to prove to be very beneficial to many people in that regard.
 
Second, the overall competition of the NCAA will go up, as athletes have more motivation to be the best. Everyone will want to earn a sponsor, so there will be a collective increase in competition within the different leagues. Different college athletes have already been supported by several companies so we will soon be able to witness the different effects that these endorsements have on college sports.
 
Though I recognize that teens should not tie themselves into long contracts, and many people may not spend the money that they receive wisely, they should still have the right to receive these endorsements. They also have every right to reject the deals offered to them.
 
The pros of introducing sponsorships to college athletes far outweigh the cons. It was a good decision by the NCAA to do so, and college athletics have an exciting future ahead of them as a result.