Should NCAA players be paid?

The NCAA will soon again be in the heat of the season with stands full of packed fans in the middle of March, but the organization might see a major change of face. The debate over paying “amateur” players for play is back in the spotlight and shooting from all different directions.

Some hits on the organization are comical insults like Congressman Bobby Rush of Illinois comparing the NCAA to Al Capone. Still, but criticisms are serious, like lawsuits filed by UCLA player Ed O’Bannon and the legendary Boston Celtics star, Bill Russell.

Those in favor of paying college basketball players compare the NCAA to slavery. After all, the $845.9 million revenue that comes into the NCAA is a result of the non-paid players themselves. Still, some think that paying the players would change the culture of college basketball.

“I mean, look at the NBA, and all its failures. It’s because for them it’s all about the money. College players play for the game,” said Andy Sallee, 54, of Boston.

“I think paying the players would just ruin the passion of the game,” said Matt Waite, 19, of New England Law in Boston.

While fans of the NCAA worry about preserving the culture of the game, others see a more important side to the story. Hardened historian Taylor Branch told Atlantic in October that this is a civil rights issue, and is far beyond the scope of “the game.”

“Not paying people for work is a crime in this country. The NCAA is a criminal,” said Daisy Martin, 20, of Suffolk University in Boston.

The NCAA has been keeping the “pay for play” debate under wraps for a long time now, but with with pressure from former basketball stars, fans, and civil rights activists the game is soon to change.