abstract

This paper discusses how minority groups around the country are mistreated and abused by athletic programs, particularly in high revenue sports such as college football and basketball. The NCAA has worked very hard to perfectly formulate guidelines to increase their profit margins. African American athletes, in particular, are scouted for their tremendous athletic ability and used until they either get injured or are not needed anymore. They provide their labor for only a small percentage of what they receive in return.  Billy Hawkins has come to coin this as the New Plantation as the NCAA preys on young athletes hoping to be like their role models in the NBA or the NFL. As these  D1 coaches,  general managers, and trainers are paid an average of over one million dollars a year, approximately 87% of college athletes graduate college in poverty and less than 2 % make it into the major leagues according to the National College Players Association (Stone).  With this, coaches tend to make in bonuses over half of their entire team’s scholarships fund. In addition to unjust compensation, the athletes are pushed far beyond their physical and emotional boundaries, leaving little time for their classes. This being said, high ranked athletes are typically required to choose a very credit light major with little to no use in the real world, leaving them stranded in the world after graduation.