Ethical Issues in Intercollegiate Athletcs

From its earliest days, college athletics has been surrounded by ethical debate. Questions about whether sport even belongs on the college campus… how amateurism should be defined, and how institutions balance the health and well-being of student-athletes with the relentless pursuit of winning have shaped the development of intercollegiate athletics for more than a century. Today, we explore how different ethical theories can help us understand - and perhaps even resolve - many of the most pressing issues facing college sport today. From questions surrounding student-athletes’ ability to generate revenue from their name, image, and likeness, to the ongoing challenge of balancing academic priorities with athletic performance, to the growing influence of commercialization and capitalism within college athletics, these issues force administrators, coaches, and governing bodies to make difficult decisions every day. In this episode, we will examine these modern challenges through multiple ethical lenses, demonstrating how ethical theory can provide a framework for better decision-making in intercollegiate athletics. So if you’ve ever wondered how philosophy, ethics, and governance intersect with the real-world decisions shaping college sport today, then this podcast is for you.