Should college athletes be paid?

Today’s college athletes are considered amateurs. They are not paid for their performances on the field or court. At the same time, many of the universities and colleges they represent rake in millions of dollars through TV contracts and ticket sales.

Last month, California became the first state to make it legal for college athletes to be compensated for the use of their names, images and likenesses. Athletes will also be allowed to hire agents to represent them to seek out deals.

Almost a dozen other states have quickly followed up, including Pennsylvania.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is vehemently opposed to allowing athletes to be paid. Opponents of so-called “Fair Pay to Play” say student athletes already are compensated with scholarships, meals and room and board that can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars over four years.

Appearing on Friday’s Smart Talk to discuss their proposal to allow athletes to be compensated are Democratic state Representatives Dan Miller and Ed Gainey, both of Allegheny County. We’ll also hear from former All-America football player Adam Breneman and youth coach Archie Smith, Jr., who also played college football.