Collegiate Softball Coaches Worry Paying Players Could Slow Growth of Sport

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College softball has enjoyed a rise in popularity of late, but coaches of the game are worried the NCAA's recent settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit, which opens the door to paying athletes, could slow the sport's growth. 

“We’re all hoping that it doesn’t hurt softball, that’s for sure,” said Texas coach Mike White, whose school has one of the largest budgets in college athletics, told the Associated Press. “We are in a growth stage, along with several other women’s sports that have taken off right now. We’re certainly afraid of (changes hurting softball), that’s for sure. We don’t want that to happen. We’re hoping each individual school sees the benefit of keeping the money in softball and keeping it as a premier sport.

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