The NCAA and the multi-billion dollar sports-entertainment industry have been criticized for profiting so greatly when its business model essentially relies on unpaid labor, also known as "student athletes." This great Atlantic Magazine article ("The Shame of College Sports") critiques the dark side of the NCAA and its affiliates. So, keeping in mind that yes, this isn't exactly the prison-industrial complex or SB1070 we're talking about here, but is the NCAA treating AAPI athletes fairly?

It's a complicated issue. On the one hand, the NCAA, Nike and sportswear corporations, college coaches, video game developers, and other industries are making billions of dollars an year off the backs of college scholarships. Moreover, the two biggest revenue drivers that subsidize the entire system are men's basketball and men's football, and the stars are disproportionately (often-times low-income) African American or Pacific Islander. Yes, these athletes receive college scholarships and a free "education," and the tiny percentage of stars who go on to play professional football or basketball can often earn millions of dollars. For those who don't make it to that level, there are still the opportunities that come from the education that they receive, as well as the networking connections they have access to and the discipline and incredible work ethic that college student-athletes develop. However, it's a well-known fact that college sports programs at all levels, from Division I to Division III, often have dismal graduation rates, especially for their minority athletes. College athletes don't have guaranteed access to insurance and recompensation (since they are not "employees" but are volunteers), and can be left with a lifetime of expensive injuries as well. And the odds of success are even slimmer for the majority of athletes who either sit on the bench of college programs, don't go to a top-tier sports university, "redshirt," or dedicate themselves to a sport but don't make it to a college squad. Fundamentally, there's also just something that strikes me as exploitative about corporate executives making billions of dollars off of student stars, and then keeping the legal rights to their image for video game and jersey sales permanently.

Then, there's the little-known fact that the top-tier NCAA men's basketball and football teams essentially subsidize the rest of the NCAA system. While the superstars of the big programs are disproportionately people of color, the mostly privileged members of lacrosse and crew and softball teams at Ivy League or small liberal arts colleges are subsidized by those same athletes! And yes, I am generalizing and stereotyping to make a point. While Asian American athletes of all genders are generally underrepresented throughout the NCAA system, our representation is probably better at the lower levels. But I also know from personal experience that outside of the "major" sports, athletic teams - especially obscure, upper-class sports- are a major mechanism that are used to secure admissions spots in small, private liberal arts college for class-privileged students. I think that the resources used to maintain athletic programs at smaller universities can probably be better used to recruit and serve the academic needs of lower-income Asian American, Pacific Islander, Latino, and Black students.

Then again, what do I know? My sports career ended at the beginning of high school...Anyways, I'd love to hear your thoughts about the NCAA. Is it a net positive or a net detriment to Pacific Islander communities? To Asian American communities? Can the NCAA do a better job of serving its minority athletes?

Photo Courtesy of Koreanbeacon.com

About me: Hey, I'm Dayne, and I'm a recent graduate of Pomona College. In college, I was active in AAPI student organizing as well as community work. I'm currently based out of Washington, D.C., and I'll be posting two to three times a week with the latest in progressive and AAPI political news and policy analysis, as well as spotlight features on young community leaders. Leave comments and share with friends! Follow me on twitter @ dayne4progress