Mike Wallace took to Twitter to illustrate the large gap between what coaches are paid in bonuses, on top of their already large salaries, and what college players have to live on from their scholarship money.
The Alabama coaches are due $1.27 million after defeating Georgia in the National Championship Game. Wallace stated that after paying for bills he had roughly $180 to feed himself on for the month.
I’m not saying players need to get paid 100k a year although I wouldn’t be a opposed to it!! The scholarship check you get after you pay bills leaves you with about 180 dollars to make it through the the whole month!
— Mike Wallace (@Wallace17_daKid) January 9, 2018
Yet players get nothing!! I remember being in college literally wondering where my next meal was gonna come from.. Couldn’t call home because I knw my mom didn’t have it and didn’t wanna put that burden on her knowing her child was hundred of miles away with nothing to eat smh https://t.co/EIMlCvJhaZ
— Mike Wallace (@Wallace17_daKid) January 9, 2018
This sparked discussion on his Twitter page regarding how much money is made from players.
NCAA makes money off of:
– athletes:
* names
* memorabilia
* signatures
* likeness on games
* performance
– ticket sales
– TVAthletes make money off of:
– 🤔🤷🏻♂️“But but but they get degrees”.
– not all of them“But they get paid in the pros”
– most wont/don’t https://t.co/tYWOPwu5al— …. (@sportsjunkie410) January 9, 2018
Some raised the point that $180 should be plenty to live off of if you’re basic needs are met. Though the criticism was rebutted by the amount of money involved in college sports.
@Wallace17_daKid Idc what athletic scholarships cover..the pie is too big. We are talking billions with a B. Schools building 50 million$ facilities with put put golf..20 million$ jumbotrons ..stop it. These schools swimming in cash https://t.co/CD0ZOAI2v7
— Michael Campanaro (@MikeCamp_12) January 9, 2018
Criticism over the monetization of college athletes is not a new topic and likely won’t be restructured in the near future. It’s an ideal situation for the NCAA, but leaves the athletes to scrape by. 
