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Professional ‘amateurs’ in the NCAA: the impact of downstream demand

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  • Kurt W. Rotthoff
  • Kaylyn R. Sanbower

Abstract

We argue that student-athletes are amateur in title only; they are actually professional athletes in all accounts of their actions. This occurs because of the downstream demand of their athletic success: coaches are paid professionals. As a paid professional, these coaches are held accountable for the performances of their team, i.e. they are hired and fired based on this performance. Within the constraints of the National Collegiate Athletic Association guidelines, coaches make the rules for their athletes, which the athletes are required to follow. As such, the athletes themselves are professionals acting under professional incentives and are amateurs in title only.

Suggested Citation

  • Kurt W. Rotthoff & Kaylyn R. Sanbower, 2016. "Professional ‘amateurs’ in the NCAA: the impact of downstream demand," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(5), pages 373-376, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:apeclt:v:23:y:2016:i:5:p:373-376
    DOI: 10.1080/13504851.2015.1076140
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    1. Paul Holmes, 2011. "Win or Go Home: Why College Football Coaches Get Fired," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 12(2), pages 157-178, April.
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    5. Rotthoff, Kurt W., 2008. "Could affirmative action be efficient in higher education?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 99(3), pages 574-576, June.
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