The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) continues to penalize college sports teams because their athletes receive cars, cash, clothing, and other gifts from sports agents. NCAA rules allow agents to meet with college athletes. However, they forbid these students from entering into contracts—including oral deals—with agents or accepting gift incentives to sign contracts later. The idea is to ensure fair play and to shield amateurs until they are done with school.

The amount of hours that student athletes put into collegiate sports, however, coupled with the millions of dollars that some major universities earn from the performance of their student athletes, has sparked a debate as to whether these student athletes deserve monetary compensation, despite the fact that they are still students and are playing at an amateur (not professional) level.

1. Is it ethical and socially responsible for college athletes to accept gift incentives from sports agents?

2. Do you think the NCAA should change its rules and allow college athletes to get paid?