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Abstract

This study was an attempt to assess the degree to which college athletes support various facets of the NCAA's amateur code. Data gathered from 644 male and female basketball players indicate that many athletes, especially males from lower class backgrounds, see nothing wrong with violating NCAA rules regarding the financial compensation of athletes. Black athletes were far more likely than others to think they deserve the same benefits as other workers, such as workmen's compensation, the right to form unions, and the right to a share of TV revenue. Division I athletes in general, and blacks in particular, were far less likely than others to report that they compete for the sheer fun of it. The higher the Division, the more instrumental and extrinsic were the motives for sport participation. Female athletes were far less likely than males to approve of accepting improper financial benefits for such things as travel and living expenses.

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Are "Improper Benefits" Really Improper? A Study of College Athletes' Views Concerning Amateurism

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