Statement of Principles
Student athletes deserve to be treated the SAME as students in Work Study.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), colleges must pay students in Work Study at least the federal minimum-wage of $7.25 per hour.
In college, varsity sports are like Work Study, but on steroids. Student athletes meet FLSA employee criteria more than students in Work Study.
But the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA prohibit modest student athlete pay, leaving student athletes and their families to cover living expenses out-of-pocket while student ticket takers, seating attendants and food concession workers at athletic events are paid.
SAME legal counsel aims to level the field of pay for student athletes – regardless of gender or revenue generation.
No student treated better, or worse. All the SAME.
Wage Disparities
among Students
Student ticket takers, seating attendants, and food concession workers at athletic contests are paid, on average, $10.53 per hour to $13.36 per hour as part of Work Study.
But the student athletes whose performance creates Work Study jobs at athletic contests are paid nothing.
Wage Equity for
Student Athletes
SAME legal counsel filed a Collective Action to change NCAA Division I rules that deprive student athletes of lawfully-earned wages and equal treatment under law.
Get informed about Johnson v. NCAA, et al.
Read the Complaint and Litigation Facts, and learn about NCAA legal arguments made in prior cases that: (1) student athletes should be exempted from the FLSA minimum-wage as prisoners are under the 13th Amendment; and (2) NCAA sports should be grouped with student-run groups exempted from the FLSA, like Glee Club or Ultimate Frisbee.
Get Involved | Support SAME
Former student athletes, dating back to the 2016-17 seasons, and current student athletes may join a Collective Action to change NCAA / NAIA / NJCAA rules and seek back pay.
Current student athletes, high school recruits and their parents should ask College Coaches if they think its OK to pay student ticket takers, seating attendants and food concession workers at athletic contests - but not to pay the student athletes whose performance created those jobs. Challenge College Coaches to support wage equity and stand with SAME.
Student Athlete Advisory Councils (SAACs) and teams can order SAME wristbands in bulk to distribute to constituent student athletes and show support for the movement.