Do you think college players should be paid?
Yes: 54 percent
No: 46 percent
Explanation
Uh, yes, players said, but by a relatively narrow margin. When we asked college football players the same question this summer, 71 percent said they should be paid. Basketball players weren't nearly so sure, especially those from smaller conferences. Of the 57 players from non-BCS conferences who were surveyed, 30 (52.6 percent) answered no.
Said one player from a big school: "Most of us are from poorer backgrounds. We'd like to be able to send a few bucks home."
Countered a mid-major player: "Nah, we don't do this for the money. We love the game. If we deserve to be paid, some day some of us will."