Athlete Privilege

“Athlete privilege” is a term used to describe the advantages and benefits that athletes, especially those who excel in sports at the highest levels, may enjoy in various aspects of their lives. These advantages can manifest in several ways, including:

1. Academic Privilege: Athletes may receive special academic considerations, such as tutoring, flexible class schedules, or grade leniency, to accommodate their training and competition commitments. This can lead to concerns about academic integrity and fairness.
2. Financial Privilege: Successful athletes often earn substantial incomes through contracts, endorsements, and other sources. This financial privilege can provide them with a higher standard of living, access to luxuries, and opportunities not available to others. Elite collegiate athletes can benefit from financial privilege through lucrative NIL deals.
3. Legal Privilege: Some athletes may receive preferential treatment within the legal system, particularly when facing legal issues or allegations. This can include reduced sentences, leniency, or more resources for a legal defense.
4. Social Privilege: High-profile athletes are often celebrated in society, which can lead to preferential treatment in social situations, increased popularity, and access to influential networks.
5. Educational Privilege: Athletes may have greater access to college scholarships and opportunities to attend prestigious universities due to their athletic talent, even if their academic qualifications are not as competitive as other applicants. Stereotypes surrounding collegiate athletes suggest student-athletes also benefit from educational privilege by receiving undeserved grades or leniency in course policies.
6. Healthcare and Wellness Privilege: Athletes often have access to top-tier medical care, fitness resources, and wellness programs to support their physical well-being, performance, and skill development.

It’s important to note that not all athletes benefit from these privileges to the same extent, and athlete privilege is a complex and multifaceted concept. Some argue that these privileges can lead to a sense of entitlement or contribute to a culture where athletes are held to different standards than the general population. However, others contend that athletes work exceptionally hard and face unique challenges, justifying some of these privileges as necessary to support their athletic careers. The perception of athlete privilege can vary depending on individual circumstances and societal perspectives.

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Suggested Readings on Athlete Privilege

Bimper Jr, A. Y. (2017). Mentorship of Black student-athletes at a predominately White American university: Critical race theory perspective on student-athlete development. Sport, Education and Society, 22(2), 175-193.

Engstrom, C. M., & Sedlacek, W. E. (1991). A study of prejudice toward university student‐athletes. Journal of Counseling & Development, 70(1), 189-193.

Epstein, A., & Anderson, P. M. (2015). The relationship between a collegiate student-athlete and the university: An historical and legal perspective. Marq. Sports L. Rev., 26, 287.

Fuller, R. D., Lawrence, S. M., Harrison, C. K., Eyanson, J., & Osika, L. (2017). Perks for Players: High School Teachers’ Perceptions of Athletic Privilege. American Secondary Education, 45(2), 39–55. http://www.jstor.org/stable/45147894

Lawrence, S. M., Harrison, C. K., & Bukstein, S. (2016). What is this “white” in the white male student-athlete?: White students’ perceptions of academic and athletic success on campus. Sociology of Sport Journal, 33(4), 334-346.

Leonard, D. J. (2017). Playing while white: Privilege and power on and off the field. University of Washington Press.

Loveland, M., Grant, K., & Mishra, V. (2020). College Students’ Perceptions of Athlete versus Non-Athlete Privilege.

Robertshaw, H. (2020, December 1). Athletic privilege. The Everyday. https://theeverydaymagazine.co.uk/sports-1/athletic-privilege

Simons, H. D., Bosworth, C., Fujita, S., & Jensen, M. (2007). The athlete stigma in higher education. College Student Journal, 41(2), 251-274.