The debate over paying college athletes has ramped up recently, with March Madness giving the press a perfect opportunity to harp on the unfairness of a billion-dollar business built on the backs of unpaid labor. With all the coverage, you might be sick of hearing about the myth of the "student-athlete" and the gaudy salaries and bonuses enjoyed by athletic directors and coaches, but the NCAA itself just demonstrated why it's necessary to keep this issue in the headlines.
On Tuesday, the NCAA's legislative council announced a number of small rule changes to advance "student-athlete well-being," including the approval of unlimited meals for scholarship and walk-on athletes. Under the previous rules, players on scholarship were limited to three meals a day or a food stipend, with school cafeteria hours often conflicting with practice and game times.
The changes come a week after University of Connecticut star Shabazz Napier sparked outrage when he told reporters he doesn't always have money for food. "There are hungry nights where I'm not able to eat, but I still gotta play up to my capabilities," he said, before leading his team to a national championship.