College athletes certainly deserve a direct share of the revenue they generate. Large college football and basketball programs generate billions of dollars from broadcasting deals, ticket sales, and sponsorships. Division I programs generated over $13 billion in revenue in 2023. These universities keep almost all of the profits, with athletes receiving tuition-based scholarships if they're lucky, a small fraction of the revenue, primarily covering educational expenses only. Being a college athlete can take as much time as a full-time job, through practices, games, and traveling. This leaves little or no time for athletes to obtain employment or internships. Furthermore, college athletes bear extreme physical demands and severe injury risks, which often jeopardize their health or eliminate the possibility of a professional career. This is especially concerning because the majority of college athletes don't become professional athletes, meaning they get all the harm with minimal gain. When an association earns millions from an athlete's work, that athlete deserves a fair share of what they help create.

Direct pay doesn't "mess up what college sports are supposed to be". If anything, it rewards athletes for their work, inspires the next generation, and incentivizes athletes to perform at their best. Even if athletes are "students first". college sports can require as much time as a job, meaning there is a direct tradeoff. My opponent drops the point about injuries, and the fact that colleges make billions.

My opponent only says paying players doesn't fit the "vibe". But college athetes are adults who deserve to be paid for their work. My entire case is either dropped or agreed with.