Suppose you are a judge. A group of student-athletes have brought suit in your courtroom alleging that the NCAA has acted improperly in denying them fair market compensation for their services while they were participating in sports in college. The athletes include 1) a Heisman trophy winner who played on a national championship football team, 2) the “sixth man” on the men’s basketball team, 3) a starter on the women’s basketball team, and 4) a player from each of the men’s and women’s golf teams. Address the following:
- What is the NCAA likely being sued for (i.e. what law or laws did they allegedly break, and how did it break them)?
- Assume you determine that athletes are entitled to market value compensation. You must then award them the market value of their services, minus the value of any compensation that they have already received. How would you go about calculating both of those things (note: I have not given you sufficient information to actually calculate and arrive at a number; this is simply about concepts)
- How does your analysis vary for each of the athletes?
- What issues would arise from changing the nature of college athletes if, instead of being considered “student-athletes,” they were essentially “hired” forcash payment?