Interesting Debate: Should businesses use a college athlete’s image to promote themselves and make money?

Here is a question for you all: do you think that it is okay / not okay for businesses to promote a college athlete’s image for their own personal financial gain? If it is okay, do you think that athletes should be compensated? If you believe that it is not okay, what strategies and tactics would you do to make sure that these companies don’t use an athlete’s image for their own personal gain? Both points have their own challenges… it makes you think! 🙂

I found this article to be quite interesting because it brings up several points. The positives of this of course would be more recognition for the student-athletes and the team that they represent among a larger part of the population. But on the other hand, you have to think of what is best for the athlete. Do they actually want their image to be used for profit for someone else? And what do these athletes get in return?

So, I believe that the main point in this debate is to make sure that everyone is clear on their role. Student-athletes have to realize that they are representing their university, athletic team, and themselves– and this is another way to market their own brand. You can even say that they are entertainers– they perform in football, basketball, and track & field to name a few, and their hard work and efforts bring in a lot for their university. These student-athletes can also be considered to be public figures in a way if they are very well-known in their community or in their particular sport. But, I do believe that they should be compensated for this.

The other thing that I want to mention on this is the fact that some sports are already getting a lot of publicity and helping other businesses make money. Look at all of the EA Sport Games for Football and Basketball– they are making money technically from these collegiate athletes. But then you look at sports like track & field, and they do not have the same opportunities.

It’s an interesting debate, and I think that the NCAA has to do a lot of thinking when they are looking at this issue.

Well, I better head off to class (last class before UT’s Fall Break :)) I hope you all are having a great day!

Best Wishes,

Karen 🙂