Americans are split on whether college athletes should get a share of the revenue from college athletics, but most say they should be allowed to make paid endorsements
Currently a lawsuit against the NCAA by former college athletes seeking a share of revenue from the league is currently making its way through the courts. The plaintiffs argue that past and current athletes should be compensated for the use of their images and names in what is now a multi-billion dollar industry.
The results of a new YouGov poll show that Americans are split on whether college athletes should see a share of revenue from college athletics.
Overall, 41% thought they should see some share of the revenue and 41% thought they shouldn't.
Americans were far more resolute in rejecting another proposal that would bring college athletes much closer to professional athletes.
When asked if colleges should pay athletes based on their performance, 31% overall agreed and 55% disagreed,of whom 36% said college athletes should "definitely not" be paid based on performance.
Yet while the majority of Americans were uncomfortable with colleges themselves paying athletes, they were not against college athletes making money off their fame in general.
While NCAA athletes are currently prohibited from being involved in the promotion of a commercial product, 57% of Americans think they should be allowed to be paid to appear in ads or make endorsements for products. 32% of Americans said they should not.
The lawsuit against the NCAA, led by former college stars Ed O'Bannon, Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson, is scheduled to go to trial in July 2014.
Full results can be found here.
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