The Business of Amateurs

The Business of Amateurs is a hard-hitting, revealing documentary that pulls back the curtain on the multi-billion dollar industry of college sports, revealing a side that isn't usually visible to the adoring fans and alumni. The movie features candid interviews with individuals such as Ed O'Bannon, Ramogi Huma, and Ramona Shelburne, who bring a wealth of expertise and personal experience to the table.

The documentary shines a light on the hidden costs of this multi-billion dollar industry, focusing in on the systematic exploitation of the student-athletes on whose backs these profits are made. The film is deeply critical of the National College Athletic Association's (NCAA) policies regarding compensation for athletes, raising issues such as financial inequity, physical health risks, and academic opportunity trade-offs that are faced by these young athletes.

Starring Ed. O'Bannon, a former basketball player who later became a plaintiff in a landmark class-action lawsuit challenging the NCAA's use of athletes' images without compensation, The Business of Amateurs dives deep into the personal side of this issue. O’Bannon's contribution, with its direct perspective of a player who has experienced the system first-hand, gives weight to the documentary's critical portrayal of existing framework of college sports.

Alongside O'Bannon is Ramogi Huma, a former college football player and founder of the National College Players Association (NCPA). The NCPA works to ensure better treatment of college athletes, and Huma brings a sharp and critical eye to the documentary, providing insight into the structural issues that hamper athletes from receiving fair treatment.

Joining these two former players is journalist Ramona Shelburne. Given her extensive experience reporting for ESPN on issues within sports, she brings a journalistic perspective to the discussions within the film. Her expertise aids in unpacking the intricacies and operational aspects of the NCAA, while also illuminating the broader cultural and social context.

What makes The Business of Amateurs worth watching is how the film touches on a wide array of topics, including but not limited to: the nature of amateurism, the concept of 'student-athlete,' the disconnection between the revenue generated by major college sports and the benefits distributed to athletes, academic scandals plaguing college sports, and issues surrounding athletes' health and well-being.

Of particular interest is the examination of the concept of the 'student-athlete.' The movie effectively explores how the NCAA justifies its refusal to pay athletes by labeling them as 'students' first and 'athletes' second, delving into the burden this places on young individuals who must grapple with the physical demands of their sport while striving to maintain academic eligibility. It also spotlights the physical risks these athletes undertake, discussing the issue of traumatic brain injuries in football and their long-term ramifications.

The Business of Amateurs is not just an examination of the shortcomings of the NCAA but also serves as a critique of the broader culture that allows such a system to remain in place. The film scrutinizes the participation of universities, media companies and fans in maintaining this status quo.

Director Bob DeMars, a former college athlete himself, does an excellent job of balancing facts and figures with personal storytelling. Featuring intimate interviews and personal stories, he humanizes the controversy by showing the real people affected by these policies, not just the faceless statistics. Through these firsthand accounts, the documentary captures the often-ignored plight of college athletes.

The Business of Amateurs is a thought-provoking piece of work that compels audiences to re-consider their perceptions about college sports. It is a must-watch for sports enthusiasts, student-athletes, parents of those in or considering college sports, and anyone who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of the fraught intersection between big money and amateur athletics. It goes beyond the glitz and glamour of college sports to present a sobering, essential reality check.