University of Wisconsin basketball star Nigel Hayes made waves when he appeared on ESPN’s College GameDay program Saturday with a sign soliciting donations to a Venmo account.
Nigel Hayes has arrived at GameDay and, of course, he has a sign. @darrenrovell pic.twitter.com/tMd5Vk4zT9
— Badger Beat (@BadgerBeat) October 15, 2016
As the TV program previewed the day’s college football action, Hayes appeared in the crowd holding a sign that read: ‘Broke college athlete anything helps’ with a username to an account that allows users to send and receive money.
Hayes’ sign was intended to “create conversation” regarding compensation for collegiate athletes, according to ESPN. NCAA rules prohibit athletes from accepting this kind of money, and the account on Hayes' sign actually belongs to a friend. Hayes told ESPN that any money the account receives would be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County.
Hayes has raised the issue of compensation for student-athletes before, having joined a lawsuit seeking an injunction against NCAA rules limiting compensation for athletes. Current rules allow student-athletes to receive scholarships and stipends to cover full cost-of-attendance. Hayes has been outspoken on social media on the subject, criticizing both the NCAA and the Big Ten.
You make a company millions. They "pay" you with only a college education (estimated UW $160,000).
— Nigel Hayes (@NIGEL_HAYES) October 14, 2016
Fair, right? https://t.co/Hy3yKP42hH
What do you think? Should college athletes be paid beyond the full cost-of-attendance scholarships? Respond in our poll below, or add your thoughts in the comments.
{module College Pay}
