Thursday, March 28, 2024

Obama: Paying College Athletes Would ‘Ruin Sense of College Sports’

President Barack Obama (C) sits with his brother-in-law Craig Robinson (R), his nephew Avery Robinson (2-L) and daughter Malia (L) while attending the Green Bay versus Princeton women's college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament, March 21, 2015 in College Park, Maryland
President Barack Obama (C) sits with his brother-in-law Craig Robinson (R), his nephew Avery Robinson (2-L) and daughter Malia (L) while attending the Green Bay versus Princeton women’s college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament, March 21, 2015 in College Park, Maryland

*President Barack Obama says compensation for college athletes would “ruin the sense of college sports.”

However, he said it is frustrating to see college coaches, athletic directors and the NCAA making millions of dollars while an athlete is banished for getting a tattoo or free use of a car.

“That’s not fair,” Obama told The Huffington Post in response to a question about whether college athletes should be compensated because they are money-makers for the NCAA, television stations and advertisers.

Compensation would “create a situation where there are bidding wars. How much does a Anthony Davis get paid as opposed to somebody else?” Obama said, referring to the power forward who played one season at Kentucky before heading to the NBA.

“And that I do think would ruin the sense of college sports,” Obama said.

The interview was released Saturday, hours after Obama cheered on his niece’s undefeated Princeton team as they beat Wisconsin-Green Bay in an NCAA Tournament first-round game played in Maryland.

Obama’s niece is Leslie Robinson, daughter of Michelle Obama’s brother, Craig Robinson. She did not appear in the game for her team.

Obama sat a few rows away from courtside surrounded by an entourage that included his daughter Malia, mother-in-law Marian Robinson, Craig Robinson and other Robinson family members. Both Craig Robinson and the first lady are Princeton graduates.

Michelle Obama missed seeing her niece because she is traveling in Cambodia.

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!

YOU MAY LIKE

SEARCH

- Advertisement -

TRENDING